I will be accompanying Barbara Hill in the University of Waikato Lunchtime Concert at 1.00pm on Wednesday April 30 in the Academy of Performing Arts. Barbara is New Zealand born but currently is based in Berlin. Her repertoire for the concert includes Bach, Flute Sonata in Gmin, Hue, Fantasie, and two works by Gaubert- Ballad and Nocturne and Allegro.
Obviously a strong French flavour with the lively Bach to contrast!
I accompanied Barbara last year and very much look forward to presenting this programme with her.

Thames is indeed fortunate to have Francis Cowan as a resident music teacher.
Someone once said that the essence of a true performer is that he needs to be a transmitter who moves out of the way to let the music be heard.
Mr Cowan's presentation of a wonderful range of musical styles was the epitome of that statement.
He began with Johann Sebastian Bach, as you do, describing the Prelude from English Suite No. 2 as "sewing machine music".
Some pianists may be guilty of an interpretation like that but his wasn't. It was clear, precise and faithful to Bach's contrapuntal interaction where both hands
celebrate independent movement. A great way to warm up the fingers on a cold winter's day!

Mr Cowan then introduced  Robert Schumann's "Arabesque" in C Major Opus 18 thus helping the audience to tune in to the spirit of a young composer who was at that time frustrated in love, rejected and depressed. The early confusion and diffidence borne of frustration was ably conveyed especially when the last notes seemed to indicate a resignation to defeat.
Schumann wrote  "Arabesque"  for Clara Wieck,  considered one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era.  Happily for him, Clara did eventually become his wife.

The slow chords of the Sonata No. 31 written in 1821 by Beethoven soon moved into fluent arpeggios, not played with flamboyance but unpretentiously making good use of silences where the romanticism of this music requires them.

The next piece had a nice connection because it was also dedicated to Clara Schumann. The lyrical style of this late work Brahms "Intermezzo" Opus 118 No 2, more introverted than his early works,  gave the opportunity for a thoughtful, empathic and finely balanced interpretation.

Miklos Rozsa, famous for nearly 100 film scores, was commissioned to write a score for Alfred Hitchcock's thriller, "Spellbound"  featuring  Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck. Although the music gained an academy award for Rozsa, Hitchcock didn't like it, claiming that it 'overtakes all the direction of my film'  but this audience certainly did and it was greatly apparent that so did Mr Cowan.
The memorable opening theme broadened through many key changes, including a delightfully playful folky little episode and climaxing in the finale with pounding arpeggios gave plenty of scope for an exciting finish to a wonderful concert.
Hitchcock's 1945 film opened with a quotation from Shakespeare's play 'Julius Caesar'  "The Fault... is Not in Our Stars,...But in Ourselves..." In this concert the audience found no fault.

I thoroughly enjoyed performing at St Georges Church for the Thames Music Group Friday Recital on 28 June. It was another very cold day however I tried the programme in the church on Monday with no heating at all. Although my hands were struggling with the cold I found I could manage the technical passages fine, so was well prepared for Friday. Although the local paper had not published the advertisement on the previous evening the church filled thanks to emails sent out and a good audience were there to support the recital.
I felt very pleased overall with the performance and was pleased to have a chance to give four newly studied works a hearing.
I'm now looking forward to bringing the St Paul's Collegiate Choir to Thames on the 18 August for their Sunday afternoon concert.

Rehearsals are well underway for this years Musical Production at St Paul's Collegiate School.
We are presenting Little Shop of Horrors by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken at Southwell School Centre for Performing Arts. Show dates are the 9-12 July at 7.30pm.
The production will feature four amazing Audrey II puppets hired from the Palmerston North Operatic Society. The musical is an affectionate spoof of the invasion from outer space 'B' movies of the 1950's. Tickets can be booked by emailing production@stpauls.school.nz

I will be presenting a short piano recital at St Georges Anglican Church, Thames on Fri 28 June 2013.
Works will include Schumann Arabesque, Brahms Intermezzo in A, Beethoven Sonata Op110 Mov.1, and Rozsa Spellbound Concerto.

I have been asked if I am available for Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua Competitions. The answer is yes, I will be accompanying at these Comps. Please get in touch via email or text. I have put my charges and the format I prefer music to be presented in on the accompaniment page. Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

I will be accompanying the Hamilton Flute Festival this weekend at Fairfield Intermediate.
At the Masterclass on Saturday I will be accompanying students playing Poulenc Flute Sonata, Mov 1 and Mozart Flute Concerto in D Major, Mov 1.
On Sunday at 2pm there will be the final concert at which I will be accompanying Martinu Flute Sonata, Mov 1 and Romanze by Gaubert.

After thirty years of reliable use from my Weinbach it was time to find a new piano.The action is need of some work and hammers are getting rather worn. My Weinbach was selected from the pianos at Nimmo's in Wellington shortly after I started studies at Victoria University and was definitely my favourite piano in their showroom. It was paid for with our family Challen piano as a trade and a generous gift from my grandmother. The rich tone and firm action seemed ideal as a practise piano and has served this purpose brilliantly. Still a nice instrument, with some work it will hopefully find a new caring home.

Having looked at about forty pianos in five music showrooms I decided on the stunning Hupfeld at Sly's Piano House in Newmarket. The Hupfeld brand started in 1892 and for many years made player pianos (pianolas) from their factory in Leipzig, Germany. During the German Democratic Republic period they made pianos which are now not considered top quality due to the type of action used (Pianic). Since the reunification they have been owned by Ronisch, also based in Leipzig. Ronisch took over the Hupfeld Factory in 1990. More recently Ronisch have left the old Hupfeld Factory and moved into an extensive facility outside Leipzig owned by Bluthner. Consequently the wonderful Bluthner brand is now firmly linked to Ronisch. The factory produces Bluthner, Irmler, Haessler (all marketed by Bluthner) and Ronisch. The Hupfeld brand is being revived by Ronisch. My piano has aspects of the Irmler Art Design line in its unique 'Art Deco" case, Renner Action, Strings by Bluthner and is made by Ronisch. The Hupfeld pianos are so new that Ronisch have not yet finalised the range for their marketing. Mine was chosen from the factory floor and is the one of the first sold in NZ.
Tone is warm across the whole range with a wonderful singing treble. Bass strings are rich, resonant and balance the treble beautifully. Touch is light and highly responsive. Playing this piano is a delight!
Having enjoyed playing Bluthner pianos in the past at various events I am delighted to have found a new piano born in their factory and made with their skill and knowledge.