Beethoven will be focus of 25th birthday celebrations

The Whangarei Music Society is launching its 2012 concert season next month with a flourish.

The New Zealand String Quartet makes a welcome return to the city on Thursday, May 10, for a concert in the Old Library.

The quartet - New Zealand's foremost chamber ensemble - is celebrating its 25th birthday this year with an anniversary project: BEETHOVEN! - a complete cycle of the 16 string quartets. The programme for Whangarei includes the Razumovsky Quartets; profound works composed in Beethoven's "middle" period during which he expressed heroic and revolutionary sentiments.

Society president Lois Williams says the NZSQ has been a great favourite of concert-goers in past seasons. "An NZSQ concert is always a treat and this programme is likely to be hugely popular. It starts at the earlier than usual time of 6.30pm. We are mindful that many concert-goers are reluctant to be out late in the colder months so we hope this timing will encourage them to support the event."

NZSQ is the first of three concerts in the annual subscription series. It is followed in June by ALTO - a viola, mezzo-soprano and piano trio - and, in July, by SAXCESS - four saxophonists, whose programme ranges from baroque and classical to contemporary and jazz. Three-concert subscriptions are available for $80, including membership, while tickets for individual concerts are $30 each.

"I'd like to encourage as many people as possible to join the society as subscribing members," Ms Williams said. "It helps us to plan and budget with confidence. We're hoping to present a fourth concert later in the year as well as our usual fundraiser featuring local artists."

For more information contact secretary Shonah Scott, ph 4340540, or committee members Wendy Brice, Margie Paul, Dora Harkness, Tony Savage or Peter Williams.