Reviewed by Elizabeth Tomasek
Photo: Deborah Jarvis
Taupō music lovers had a rare treat on Friday when the New Zealand String Quartet performed at the monthly lunchtime concert at St Andrews.
The programme, designed to be readily approachable, consisted of a collection of works by Henry Purcell, Anthony Ritchie, Fanny Mendelssohn (the elder sister of the more famous Felix), Benjamin Britten, Antonin Dvorak, and three folk dances from the Danish String Quartet.
Although a purist might bemoan the fact that there were no complete chamber works, the music presented was very engaging, had great variety and was superbly played. The stand-out works for this listener were the Fantasia by Purcell, reminiscent of Dido’s Lament, the ever-popular Dvorak ‘American’ quartet, and the Danish Folk Dances.
The members of the quartet, violinist Peter Clark, violist Gillian Ansell, cellist Martin Smith and guest violinist Peter-Andreas Nielsen from Denmark, created a very friendly rapport with their listeners, taking turns to introduce each of the works.
The large audience were very appreciative. Hopefully we will not have to wait another six years to hear the NZ String Quartet here again.
The Friday, September 4 concert will be a midevening performance at 7pm with the Taupō Concert Band presenting a “well-stamped passport of dance pieces from around the world.”
The concert at St Andrew’s Anglican Church is $10 adults, children $5, cash only (no eftpos facility).
Included in the entry price is an interval offering of a light supper and cup of tea or coffee.
This review has previously appeared in the Taupō and Tūrangi news: ‘Superb’ music treats Midday Concert goers — Taupō & Tūrangi News | Local Central Plateau Taupo and Turangi News Source
