There's a unique opportunity to enjoy the rich and rapturous string quintets of Mozart and Brahms when the New Zealand String Quartet are joined by German violist Hariolf Schlichtig for a nationwide tour in August.

The quartet performed with Hariolf in his native Germany many years ago and loved it so much that Chamber Music New Zealand agreed to present his talents to New Zealand audiences in nine centres as part of the NZSQ's Celebrity Season tour.

Image: German violist Hariolf Schlichtig
There's a unique opportunity to enjoy the rich and rapturous string quintets of Mozart and Brahms when the New Zealand String Quartet are joined by German violist Hariolf Schlichtig for a nationwide tour in August.

The quartet performed with Hariolf in his native Germany many years ago and loved it so much that Chamber Music New Zealand agreed to present his talents to New Zealand audiences in nine centres as part of the NZSQ's Celebrity Season tour.

Image: German violist Hariolf Schlichtig
The New Zealand String Quartet, (Helene Pohl, violin; Douglas Beilman, violin; Gillian Ansell, viola and Rolf Gjelsten, cello) are looking forward to joining Hariolf onstage again. "He is a truly great inspiring player and musician - we all value his musical ideas and great mana", says Gillian.

Hariolf was a founding member of the Cherubini String Quartet. He currently teaches viola and chamber music at the Music Academy in Munich and has won prestigious music competitions. He regularly collaborates with world renowned musicians such as Emmanuel Pahud, Christoph Poppen and Gerard Causse and his recordings of Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Schoek and Matthus have received great reviews.

He is excited about performing the beautiful repertoire of Mozart and Brahms. They are he says, "wonderful pieces put together. Only highlights!"

The quartet agrees, "both these composers have written the greatest works for a 'viola quintet' - both have gorgeous, unusual slow movements and are luscious and rich - the extra viola (Hariolf) adds a darkness and depth to the string quartet tonal palette", says Gillian.

The New Zealand String Quartet have wowed audiences all over the world with their energy and vitality on stage. Preferring to perform standing, the quartet "like the music to be brought to life as much as possible, with maximum freshness, energy, sincerity and personality - we are after a certain freedom, expansiveness, joy in communicating the music to our listeners," says Gillian.

They have been the Quartet-in-Residence at Victoria University of Wellington since 1991. They give regular masterclasses, including the annual Adam Summer School in Nelson for the most accomplished string students in the country. The quartet's Beethoven 'Rasumovsky' Quartets Opus 59 Nos 2 & 3 CD was a finalist for Best Classical Album at the 2003 New Zealand Music Awards.

In presenting the 2004 Celebrity Season, Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.

Programme 1 (Auckland, Napier, Palmerston North, Invercargill and Dunedin)

Mozart String Quintet in C
Mozart String Quintet in E flat
interval
Brahms String Quintet No 2 in G Opus 111

Programme 2 (Wellington, New Plymouth, Nelson and Christchurch)

Mozart String Quintet in D
Mozart String Quintet in G minor
interval
Brahms String Quintet No 1 in F Opus 88

Concert Dates

INVERCARGILL
Saturday 14 August, Centrestage, 8pm.
DUNEDIN
Monday 16 August, Glenroy Auditorium, 8pm.
CHRISTCHURCH
Tuesday 17 August, James Hay Theatre, 8pm.
NELSON
Wednesday 18 August, Nelson School of Music, 8pm.
PALMERSTON NORTH
Thursday 19 August, Regent on Broadway, 8pm.
NAPIER
Saturday 21 August, Century Theatre, 8pm.
AUCKLAND
Monday 23 August, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm.
NEW PLYMOUTH
Wednesday 25 August, Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 8pm.
WELLINGTON
Thursday 26 August, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm.

The New Zealand String Quartet with Hariolf Schlichtig is presented by Chamber Music New Zealand. For more information, log onto www.chambermusic.co.nz