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6 April 2011
On behalf of our good friends at Christopher's Classics in Christchurch, CMNZ is happy to provide details about a concert by the Amici Ensemble on Friday 8 April.
CHRISTOPHER’S CLASSICS presents The AMICI ENSEMBLE
8pm, Friday 8th April
St Andrew's Church at Rangi Ruru, Merivale Lane, Christchurch
AMICI ENSEMBLE
Donald Armstrong (violin); Cristina Vaszilcsin (violin); Julia Joyce (viola); Rowan Prior (cello); Philip Green (clarinet). All performers are members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
PROGRAMME
Hugo Wolf: Italian Serenade
“Introducing” Anton Webern: 5 Movements for String Quartet, Opus 5
Anthony Ritchie: Clarinet Quintet, Opus 124
Interval
Johannes Brahms: Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, Opus 115
Tickets: $40/$15 full-time student, door sales. At this time, the Court Theatre is also operating a telephone message service on (03) 963 0870. If you wish to book through them please leave your contact details: they are accepting cheques, credit card and direct deposits, and will post tickets out to you.
In these difficult times, Christopher's Classics is delighted to have found a venue to continue its "Sweet Sixteen" series of fine chamber music, replacing the Maurice Till Concert Hall which is unavailable due to the recent earthquake.
In the heart of Merivale, the beautiful wooden church of St Andrew's has escaped damage to its fabric and has been graciously made available by Rangi Ruru School and the local parish. "It is a warm, comfortable, wooden interior and gives you confidence about its safety" says Christopher Marshall, who recently attended a service at St Andrew's. There is ample seating with room for at least 600, which a small cushion will make more comfortable.
The recital programme touches on four corners of the human experience, providing a rich and varied listening experience. Where Wolf's Italian Serenade is bursting at the musical seams with joy and vitality, Webern's 5 Movements are powerful miniatures, reflecting inwards and condensed to their very essence. Ritchie's Clarinet Quintet is driven by strong rhythmic motifs, while Brahms's Clarinet Quintet is deeply expressive, autumnal and nostalgic.
Please note: the Ritchie Quintet was commissioned for Christchurch clarinettist Gretchen La Roche (Dunsmore) with the New Zealand String Quartet for the Classics series in 2006. It is becoming a popular piece, with other performances in the Adam Nelson Chamber Music Festival and throughout the North Island.
Tickets will be sold at the door with a free programme.
Christopher's Classics will be pleased to provide this stimulating and exciting concert for Christchurch as so many recent concerts have been cancelled. As the church seats over 600, ticket availability should not be a problem.