The next concert in the Globe Sunday matinee series is by a much-praised group of New Zealand musicians.
Take three former New Zealand Symphony Orchestra players, an arts laureate composer, a bass player of renown, and a charismatic singer and you have the Kugels.
With passion and sensitivity, the Kugels play traditional klezmer music and original works by their in-house arts laureate composer/accordionist Ross Harris. Klezmer music is the folk music of Jewish people from Eastern and Central Europe and is enjoying a huge rebirth of interest and popularity.
The performers are all distinguished and versatile musicians. Harris is a former NZSO French horn player and Victoria University lecturer and a leading New Zealand composer of symphonies and chamber works. In this concert he will be heard on the accordion and a number of his pieces will also be played.
Robin Perks was a member of the NZSO for 37 years as a violinist and has performed klezmer in Wellington for about 15 years.