Ghost Trio: World renowned musicians coming to Whanganui stage

The Ghost Trio - Gabriela Glapska, Monique Lapins and Ken Ichenose will perform at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre on Friday. Photo / Supplied

After some disappointing cancellations for Whanganui chamber music lovers this year, a travelling trio will present a concert this week.

The Ghost Trio – comprising Monique Lapins (violin), Ken Ichenose (cello), and Gabriela Glapska (piano) - will perform at the Whanganui War Memorial Concert Chamber on Friday.

Chamber Music Wanganui convener Ingrid Culliford said the group was named after Beethoven's famous work for piano trio.

"Ghost Trio was founded in mid-2019 as one of Gabriela's PhD recital projects," she said.

"Realising quickly that they enjoy playing together immensely, they decided to continue working as a trio. They have already gained a reputation as one of the most refreshing and enjoyable chamber groups in Aotearoa."

Lapins is well known to Whanganui audiences in her role as second violinist of the New Zealand String Quartet (NZSQ) and has played around the world at festivals in the UK, France, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Japan, Hong Kong and her homeland, Australia.

British cellist and current associate principal in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) Ken Ichinose is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London.

"During his time there he co-founded the Galitzin String Quartet, with which he performed for 10 years and completed major tours in the UK and Europe before joining the NZSO in 2014," said Culliford.

"Ken enjoyed 10 years freelancing with London orchestras including the Philharmonia, Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden."

The third member of this group is Polish-born pianist Gabriela Glapska, who is currently living and working in Wellington.

Glapska is an active soloist and chamber musician with a strong interest in contemporary music, Culliford said.

"She has been the resident pianist for the annual Nelson Composers Workshops since 2017 and has collaborated with many award-winning composers on both solo and ensemble projects as well as with Wellington-based contemporary ensemble Stroma.

"She also has been working as an accompanist at the Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music since 2017."

The Ghost Trio's programme includes works by Haydn, Faure and Dvorak, together with a short piece by New Zealand composer Josiah Carr.

"Chamber Music Wanganui would like to thank Rob O'Keeffe Joinery for their sponsorship of this concert. We would also like to thank all our other sponsors for 2021 who have enabled us to bring such high-quality musicians to Whanganui throughout the year."

Ghost Trio: Whanganui War Memorial Concert Chamber, Friday, October 15, at 7.30pm. Tickets are available in advance from Royal Whanganui Opera House, or at the door - cash only (no Eftpos). Adults $35, seniors $32, subscribers $20, students $5.

Due to the current Covid regulations, numbers are restricted to 100 audience members. Please arrive a little earlier than usual to enable signing in and seating allocations.