• Concerts
• Programme One
• Programme Two

23 October - 7 November 2012 VIEW TOUR GUIDE

“playing of jaw-dropping prowess revealing masterpieces of the 20th century quartet literature … seek out this group – they are clearly bound for greatness.” MusicWeb International

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ARTISTS: Maureen Nelson (violin), John Marcus (violin), Stephanie Fong* (viola) , Richard Belcher (cello), Michael Endres (piano)

*Stephanie is standing in for Melissa Reardon (pictured above) on viola during this tour.

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One of the United States’ most accomplished and exciting young ensembles joins outstanding German pianist Michael Endres for our final tour of the 2012 season.

With a 2010 Grammy nomination for “Best Chamber Music Performance” for their recording of Ginastera Quartets, the Enso String Quartet has quickly made their mark on the international chamber music scene. Their cellist is Christchurch-born Richard Belcher.

Michael Endres joins the ensemble for Shostakovich and Dvořák Quintets. Recently appointed Head of Piano Studies at the University of Canterbury, Michael is a pianist of international standing with an extensive and prizewinning discography.

Both programmes feature a specially commissioned new work for the quartet by one of our most distinguished composers Dame Gillian Whitehead. No stars, not even clouds... was written in memory of Gillian’s friend, the writer and oral historian Juanita Ketchel. It draws on traditional quartet forms, she says, as well as “the Otago accent of the korimako, or bellbirds, that seem to sing vociferously every time I sit down to write.”

The fast and furious characterises Argentinian composer Ginastera’s Second String Quartet,which is paired with Boccherini’s delicate Quartet in G minor in the first programme. This is followed by Dvořák’s Piano Quintet, infused with warmth, lyricism, and the flavours of Eastern Europe.

Haydn’s sense of fun prevails in his Quartet in C in the second programme. This is complemented by Shostakovich’s Quintet, described by a Moscow newspaper criticas “a portrait of our age... the rich-toned, perfect voice of the present”. 

DOWNLOAD THE NOTES FOR PROGRAMME ONE (Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin)

DOWNLOAD THE NOTES FOR PROGRAMME TWO (Auckland, New Plymouth,  Palmerston North, Christchurch, Invercargill)

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Enso String Quartet will also be running a very special mixed-ability lunchtime performance in Wellington with students from Kimi Ora school. Find out more about the Music with Enso mixed-ability performance on Wedensday 24 October.

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One concert into their 10 centre tour CMNZ sat down for a chat with a couple of the musicians...

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Watch Enso String Quartet playing Beethoven below (note: this specific work will not be performed in the New Zealand tour)

When & Where

Date	Programme	Time	Venue	Centre
23 October 12	Programme Two	7.30pm	Aurora Centre for Performing Arts	Christchurch
25 October 12	Programme One	7.30pm, free pre-concert talk 6:30pm	Wellington Town Hall	Wellington
26 October 12	Programme Two	7.30pm	Theatre Royal TSB Showplace	New Plymouth
28 October 12	Programme One	5pm	Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts	Hamilton
29 October 12	Programme Two	8pm, free pre-concert talk 7pm	Auckland Town Hall	Auckland
31 October 12	Programme One	8pm, free pre-concert talk 7pm	Municipal Theatre	Napier
1 November 12	Programme Two	7.30pm, free pre-concert talk 6:45pm	The Speirs Centre	Palmerston North
3 November 12	Programme One	7.30pm	Nelson School of Music	Nelson
5 November 12	Programme One	7.30pm	Regent Theatre	Dunedin
7 November 12	Programme Two	7.30pm	Civic Theatre	Invercargill