Evening of piano magic

Pianist Maria Mo will be on stage in the amphitheatre at Black Barn in Havelock North.

Wellington pianist Ludwig Treviranus, together with pianist Maria Mo, violinist Amalia Hall and tenor Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, are on stage in the amphitheatre at Black Barn in Havelock North at 7.30pm next Saturday, February 27, for a concert, Piano Magic in the Vines.

"This is a simply magical venue, with a covered stage and seating for around 1800 people in a natural amphitheatre looking out over the vineyards to the wider Hawke's Bay area, with a celebration of the piano featuring up-and-coming young artists," Treviranus says.

"The programme ranges from classical to jazz, Beethoven to Gershwin. It's been a year in the planning, and we are super-excited to present this fun and varied programme of amazing music."

International concert pianist Treviranus is regarded as one of New Zealand's most talented and versatile young pianists.

Of Samoan-German descent, he studied with Michael Houstoun and Rae de Lisle before heading to Florida to complete his Doctorate in Piano Performance.

He lives in Wellington where he teaches at the New Zealand School of Music in the Young Musicians' Programme.

Korean-Kiwi pianist Maria Mo has been making her presence known as a performer in New Zealand for many years, having toured with Opus Orchestra, Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music New Zealand.

She is a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree candidate at the University of Auckland.

Acclaimed tenor, Rarotongan Bonaventure Allan-Moetaua, is one of the 'Three Tenors and a Soprano' ensemble.

He has performed throughout New Zealand and has a played a leading role in the popular Operatunity series of concerts.

International concert violinist Amalia Hall is without doubt the standout violinist of her generation.

She has won numerous international competitions, including first prize at the Postacchini International Violin Competition, and has won all the major awards available in New Zealand.

She made a huge impression when she was soloist in the Vivaldi Four Seasons performance in Napier at the end of last year.

"The piano is an amazing instrument, that forever changed the face of music as we know it - from classical to jazz and everything in between," says concert promoter Geoff Vaughan.

"This instrument has been an essential ingredient in producing great music so we decided to have a party to celebrate by creating Piano Magic in the Vines - a fantastic new light classical/jazz crossover concert to be held under the stars at Black Barn Vineyards.

"Here the audience is sure to have a great time tapping their feet to uplifting pieces such as Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu, Strauss' Blue Danube Waltz, Brahms' Hungarian Dances, extracts from Bizet's opera Carmen and Gershwin's I've got Rhythm and Embraceable You."

- Tickets $69.95 and $89.95; students $49.95 - all plus fees. For more information, visit blackbarn.com or ticketmaster.co.nz