With members from all across the world and their contemporary's amongst the best musicians in the world, it's no wonder the New Zealand Piano Quartet have been described as a must-see act!

WELLINGTON
Sunday 26 September @ 3pm
Ilott Concert Chamber, Wellington Town Hall
Presented by the Wellington Chamber Music SocietyWith members from all across the world and their contemporary's amongst the best musicians in the world, it's no wonder the New Zealand Piano Quartet have been described as a must-see act!

WELLINGTON
Sunday 26 September @ 3pm
Ilott Concert Chamber, Wellington Town Hall
Presented by the Wellington Chamber Music SocietyAfter the success of their New Zealand tour with Chamber Music New Zealand in 2001, the quartet jumped at the chance to perform Gisborne, Rotorua and Wellington next month (September).

The quartet showcases a melting pot of cultures and musical talents. It's violinist arrived in New Zealand via Kiev, Israel and Chicago, its cellist came via Chicago, Costa Rica and Auckland, and its violist and pianist are from Christchurch and Nelson.

The talented foursome met as faculty members at the Massey University Conservatorium of Music in Wellington. Its players, Yury Gezentsvey, violin, Donald Maurice, viola, David Chickering, cello and Richard Mapp, piano, formed the New Zealand Piano Quartet in 2000.

The best thing about playing in New Zealand agrees the quartet, is the people. "The folks who come along love chamber music and without their enthusiastic support, we would be confined to our practice rooms. No matter how much we practice and rehearse, the music needs those appreciative people to listen and love it", says cellist David.

David and violin player Yury crossed paths many times abroad before actually meeting. Both in Chicago at the same time, Ukraine born Yury was studying and playing in the civic orchestra as Concertmaster and David was in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. But they never met.

Yury has enjoyed much success both in New Zealand and abroad. He has been the concertmaster of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and Philharmonic Orchestra of Caracas, Venezuela. He is currently Principal first violinist in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Viola player Donald also plays violin and banjo and played in a Dixie band when he was younger to pay the bills! He has played with the London Mozart Players, Belfast Symphony Orchestra and taught viola at Cambridge University. He has also played with all the major orchestras in New Zealand, as both a violist and violinist. In 1997 he was awarded a PhD from the University of Otago for his dissertation on his work on composer Bela Bartók.

Cellist David began his musical career in New York, where he graduated with honours from Northwestern University. He then went onto perform with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and later became Principal cellist of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Latin America's Orquesta National de Costa Rica. David arrived in New Zealand in 1991 and has been the Principal cellist of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 1993.

Pianist Richard made his solo debut as a youngster at the age of 12, with the Christchurch Civic Orchestra. He has also enjoyed "inspirational coaching" with established French ensemble, the Beaux Arts Trio abroad, and since his return from overseas travel in 1991, has performed as a concerto soloist with all the major New Zealand orchestras. This year Richard adjudicated the District Contests of the 2004 New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest.

The concerts are presented by Chamber Music New Zealand's Associate Societies. Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.

Programme

Beethoven Piano Quartet, Opus 16
Turina Piano Quartet in A minor, Opus 67
interval
Schumann Piano Quartet in E flat, opus 47

WELLINGTON
Sunday 26 September @ 3pm
Ilott Concert Chamber, Wellington Town Hall
Presented by the Wellington Chamber Music Society

www.chambermusic.co.nz