The next concert from the Motueka Music Group brings Trio Obscura to the stage on Wednesday, 25 March, with daylight saving still favouring evening concerts.
Trio Obscura lives up to its name, largely because audiences do not often encounter an oboe, a viola and a piano sharing the same stage. It is a somewhat unusual combination of instruments, and very little music has been written specifically for oboe, viola and piano. This programme, however, vividly showcases the musicality and lyricism that emerges when these three sonorities come together.
The first half of the concert features two 19th century composers, Klughardt and Loeffler, with fantasies and rhapsodies familiar to chamber music audiences. The second half moves into the 20th century with works by Jennings and Morris, both written specifically for the trio and designed to highlight the character and range of each instrument.
The calibre of performers adds further weight to the programme. Pianist Sarah Watkins, no stranger to the Chanel Arts Centre, is a Juilliard graduate, founding member of NZTrio, a prolific collaborator and currently lectures in music at Auckland University. Bede Hanley is the principal oboist with the Auckland Philharmonia, has performed internationally and is in demand as a soloist. Robert Ashworth is principal viola with the Auckland Philharmonia and has been a guest principal violist for orchestras around the world. In 2022, he was awarded a Tui for Best Classical Artist.
This is a rare opportunity to experience live chamber music of a very high calibre right here in Motueka.
Trio Obscura
Wednesday, 25 March, 7.30pm
Chanel Arts Centre
Tickets: $25 adults, $5 children
Tickets available from Motueka Floral Studio (cash) and door sales (cash and EFTPOS)
