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Waimakariri Community Arts Council presents “Aroha Quartet – Light and Dark”

September 18, 2018 @ 7:30 pm

$10 - $30

Aroha Quartet, “Light and Dark” concert

7.30pm Tuesday 18th September 2018

Chamber Gallery, Rangiora Library

$30 Adults, $10 Students, cash or cheque only please

Founded in 2004, the versatile Wellington-based Aroha Quartet of Haihong Liu on violin, Zhongxian Jin on viola, Robert Ibell on cello, and Ursula Evans on violin, will take you on an emotional journey, exploring a wide range of moods and soundscapes.

Aroha Quartet present “Light and Dark”, a programme that begins with the warmth and brightness of Haydn’s “Emperor” Quartet Op 76 No 3, with its famous variations on an anthem he wrote for Kaiser Franz II. It then enters the pulsating world of New Zealander, Ross Carey’s evocative Toccatina (Elegy).

The dark, sardonic mood of Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 11 Op 122, a profound work in seven short movements, is swept away by their final work: Dvorak’s gorgeous, much-loved “American” Quartet Op 96. Come along to immerse yourselves in this wonderful music!

Acclaimed as demonstrating “accomplished brilliance, soulfulness and sublime intensity in perfect balance and tonal unity” (The Dominion Post), the Aroha String Quartet is firmly established as one of New Zealand’s finest chamber music ensembles.

 

Bios:

Haihong Liu, Chinese-born NZSO first violinist Haihong is a graduate of the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music in the People’s Republic of China, where she won the China National Chamber Music Competition in 1995 with the Beijing String Quartet. As a member of that ensemble she enjoyed a varied international career of concerts, festivals, and competitions throughout China, as well as major cities in Asia and Europe.

After six years teaching as a violin and chamber music lecturer at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music of Guangzhou, Haihong emigrated to New Zealand with her family in 2001, initially joining the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra as sub-principal first violin, and moving to the NZSO in 2002.

 

Ursula Evans, Ursula began her violin lessons in Christchurch, and played in numerous chamber groups and orchestras of the then CSIM (Christchurch School of Instrumental Music). She was a finalist in the National Secondary Schools Chamber Music Competition, and of the National Concerto Competition (1982).

After completing a BA and Dip.Mus, Ursula was awarded a DAAD Scholarship for post-graduate study in Germany, where she studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne with Professor Igor Ozim.

While in Germany she attended summer schools and masterclasses, played a lot of chamber music, and was a member of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie.

In 1987 she became Sub-Principal of the Second Violins of the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, Germany.

Three years later Ursula returned to the NZSO to join the First Violin section. Since then she has been active as a chamber musician and teacher.

With an NZSO Study Bursary in 2003, she went with her family to London to spend a year studying at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

 

Zhongxian Jin, Zhongxian is a sought after violin teacher with studios in both Wellington and Auckland. He travels regularly to China and Taiwan for festivals, masterclasses and coaching chamber ensemble and string orchestras.

Before moving to live in New Zealand with his family in 2001, Zhongxian was a violin professor for 16 years at the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, China.

Zhongxian has been the violist of the Aroha String Quartet since its inception in 2004.

 

Robert Ibell was born in Dannevirke and brought up in Palmerston North. While training there as a school teacher he learned cello from Judith Hyatt in Wellington.

From 1986 to 1992 Robert lived in London, studying cello with Tania Hunt, Derek Simpson and Christopher Bunting. He played at music schools and in masterclasses (where his teachers included Alexander Baillie, Steve Doane, Anner Bylsma and Steven Isserlis), taught, gave recitals and played in professional and amateur orchestras.

Since 1993 Robert has been a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He is also an experienced chamber musician. Formerly the cellist of the Nevine Quartet, Robert has been a member of the Aroha Quartet since 2009. He also plays in contemporary music group Stroma and fortepiano/cello duo Hammers & Horsehair, and is a Recording Artist for Radio NZ Concert.

 

Details

Date:
September 18, 2018
Time:
7:30 pm
Cost:
$10 - $30

Organizer

Jacqueline Baddock, Waimakariri Community Arts Council
Phone:
(03) 312 0577

Venue

Chamber Gallery, Rangiora Library
141 Percival Street
Rangiora, 7400 New Zealand
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