New boutique chamber music festival for Auckland

Eden Arts Chamber Music Festival
Eine Romantische Reise
Mt Eden Village Centre, Ngauruhoe St, Mt Eden
August 26–28

The Eden Arts Trust has announced the establishment of an annual festival of chamber music to take place in Mt Eden, Auckland.

There will be three concerts over three days featuring some of the country's best musicians playing some of the most important music ever written. The concerts will take place in the intimate setting of the Mt Eden Village Centre, in the historic church.

The hour-long programmes of German Romantic music will take audiences on a journey – Eine Romantische Reise – through what was one of the major periods in classical music. Works such as the Beethoven 'Ghost' Trio, Schubert's String Quintet, and Schumann’s Piano Quartet & Quintets delve deep into the heart of the romantic spirit and provide a rare chance to hear these masterworks live over one weekend.

Simeon Broom, a violinist who grew up in Mt Eden and has for a long time dreamed of starting a concert series in the village is joined by duo partner Rachel Church (piano), Andrew & Julia Joyce (principal cello & viola in the NZSO), Anna van der Zee (violinist) and the Aroha String Quartet. All are acclaimed musicians with a love for chamber music who perform regularly together in various ensembles and for Chamber Music NZ.

Says Simeon – "I have thought for many years, especially while living in Europe, that it would be great to find a concert venue in Mt Eden, where I grew up. When I saw the Mt Eden Village Centre church, I began thinking about programmes, performers and how it could work. Eden Arts has embraced and organised the festival and I'm looking forward to an exciting weekend of music-making with a group of fantastic musicians.”

For almost 30 years the Eden Arts Community Arts Trust has supported the arts in the wider Mt Eden area. Previous initiatives include the annual Artists in Eden Day, Young Artists Awards, literary dinners and the Classic Pub Quiz with an Arts Twist.

Concert 1 – Friday, August 26, 6.30pm

Beethoven “Ghost” Piano Trio in D major, Op.70 No.1

Schumann Piano Quartet in E flat major Op.47

Simeon Broom (violin), Julia Joyce (viola), Andrew Joyce (cello), Rachel Church (piano)

Concert 2 – Saturday, August 27, 6.30pm

Schubert String Quintet in C major, D 956

Aroha String Quartet with Andrew Joyce (cello), Haihong Liu (violin), Simeon Broom (violin), Zhongxian Jin (viola), Robert Ibell (cello),

Concert 3 – Sunday, August 28, 3pm

Beethoven String Trio in G major, Op.9 No.1

Schumann Piano Quintet in E flat major Op.44

Simeon Broom (violin), Anna van der Zee (violin), Julia Joyce (viola), Andrew Joyce (cello), Rachel Church (piano)

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