New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest
Hawke's Bay district final
Napier Municipal Theatre
Sunday, June 19
Reviewed by Peter Williams
Following performances from more than 50 groups in five sessions on the previous two days, eight ensembles were recalled for the district final to repeat their items for Christchurch-based adjudicators Mark and Gretchen
La Roche.
There were some fine performances from these talented musicians, reaching a standard which many more experienced musicians would be pleased to attain.
Each group was notable for its presentation, deportment and commitment to the music, a tribute to both performers and teachers.
The large audience obviously enjoyed the items and found much to admire in all eight performances.
The adjudicators commended all who had performed over the weekend.
"You have enjoyed your music-making and have learned a great deal to take with you into the future of your music development."
June Clifford, on behalf of Chamber Music NZ, which administers the long-running competition, now in its 46th year, emphasised "the value of young musicians working together to achieve a common goal".
The eight trios played music from the Baroque era to the present day, with three items by New Zealand composers, including Memories of a Forgotten Soul, composed by flautist Marcus Jackson from Lindisfarne College.
The winning group and the winner of the award for the best performance of a composition by a New Zealand composer was the Menagerie Trio - violinist Wei-Yan Fan, soprano Phoebe Sparrow and pianist Ella Sparrow from Napier Girls' High School - for their hauntingly atmospheric presentation of three of the five songs from No Ordinary Sun by Dorothy Buchanan.
