German & Bohemian Music for Soprano, Piano and Cello
Hammers & Horsehair presents a rich and varied programme of music from the first half of the Nineteenth Century. Three beautiful but rarely heard songs by Bohemian composer Jan Kalivoda and Schubert’s famous ‘Shepherd on the Rock’ begin and end the concert. In between are excerpts from Schumann’s evocative ‘Scenes from Childhood’, two special Lieder by Schubert and one of the best-loved sonatas for piano and cello, Beethoven’s Sontata in A major Op 69.
Rowena Simpson – Soprano
Douglas Mews – Square Piano
Robert Ibell – Cello
Rowena Simpson grew up in Wellington, Hamilton and London and began her performing career as a cellist, chorister and dancer. She studied singing with German soprano Rosemary Gordon and graduated with degrees in musicology and linguistics from Victoria University before leaving for The Netherlands in 1997, where she studied singing and historical performance practice at the Royal Conservatoire.
While based in Europe, she performed with professional chamber ensembles and was a soloist in the baroque and classical repertoires. Since returning to NZ in 2006, Rowena has developed a freelance career in chamber music and opera, performing for many organisations including Chamber Music NZ (Barocca & Tōku Ao), Stroma New Music Ensemble, NZ Barok, CBS Music Trust, Pinchgut Opera (Sydney), Days Bay Opera and as a member of the NZ Opera chorus.
Douglas Mews studied organ and harpsichord with the late Anthony Jennings at Auckland University (New Zealand) followed by harpsichord studies with Bob van Asperen at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague.
He is now a freelance musician, teaching at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington and directing the music at St Teresa's Catholic Church. In 2010 he recorded a CD on the Wellington Town Hall 1906 Norman and Beard organ for Priory Records’ ‘Great Australasian Organs’. His most recent CD (released in 2012) is 'The Lost Chord', also recorded at the Wellington Town Hall.
In these concerts Douglas will perform on a square piano made by Broadwood in 1843.
Robert Ibell was born in Dannevirke and brought up in Palmerston North. While training there as a school teacher he learned cello from Judith Hyatt in Wellington.
From 1986 to 1992 Robert lived in London, studying cello with Tania Hunt, Derek Simpson and Christopher Bunting. He played at music schools and in masterclasses (where his teachers included Alexander Baillie, Steve Doane, Anner Bylsma and Steven Isserlis), taught, gave recitals and played in professional and amateur orchestras.
Since 1993 Robert has been a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He is also an experienced chamber musician, touring regularly for Chamber Music New Zealand. Formerly the cellist of the Nevine Quartet, Robert has been a member of the Aroha Quartet since 2009. He also plays in contemporary music group Stroma New Music Ensemble and is a Recording Artist for Radio NZ Concert.
Robert plays an 18th Century cello by an unknown Italian or German maker, gifted to him by Judith Hyatt.
Programme
Kalivoda – Three Songs for Soprano, Piano & Cello Op. 91
Beethoven – Sonata in A major Op. 69 for Piano & Cello
Schumann – ‘Scenes from Childhood’ for Piano Op. 15
Schubert – ‘Suleika No 1' D720 & ‘Im Haine’ D738 for Soprano & Piano
Schubert – ‘Shepherd on the Rock’ D965 for Soprano, Cello & Piano, arr. D. Mews
The musical pieces will be linked by short readings that reflect the era or the mood of the music and the contribution of German-speaking musicians to life in
New Zealand.
Dates/Venues
Sunday 22 April 2018, 4pm
Greytown
57 Wood St, Greytown
Tickets: $25 Adult | $10 Student
Door sales cash only, reservations 06 304 9497 or efjac@xtra.co.nz
Thursday 26 April 2018, 7.30pm
Kerikeri
New World Theatre Bar, Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Rd, Kerikeri
Tickets: $30 Adult | $25 Friends | Free for 18 yrs & under
Available from Turner Centre Box Office or at turnercentre.co.nz
Friday 27 April 2018, 7:30pm
South Hokianga
Old Pakanae School, 30 Waiotemarama Gorge Rd
Tickets: $20
Door sales only
Saturday 28 April 2018, 7:30pm
Auckland
Ponsonby Baptist Church Hall, 43 Jervois Rd, Auckland
Tickets: $30 Full | $20 Concession | $60 family (2 adults + 2 children) | $10 Under 18 yrs
Available from Eventfinda
Sunday 29 April 2018, 2.30pm
Te Awamutu
Methodist Church, 261 Bank St, Te Awamutu
Tickets: $15 | Students Free
Door sales only
Monday 30 April 2018, 7:30pm
Clevedon
House Concert
Tickets: $40 (including supper)
Where to buy tickets: 027 484 9874 or cowanjoyce@gmail.com
Tuesday 1 May 2018, 7:30pm
Whangamata
Whangamata Hall, 326 Port Rd, Whangamata
Includes musical performances by students from Whangamata Area School and Opoutere Primary School
Tickets: $15 Adult | $30 Families (2 adults + 2 children) | $5 Under 18 yrsTickets available at Whanga Books, Whangamata Area School, and Opoutere Primary School. Light refreshments included, bar available.
Thursday 3 May 2018, 7.30pm
Coromandel
The Club, Woollams Avenue, Coromandel
Tickets: $25 Pre-sales | $30 Door sales
Pre sale tickets available from Coro Info Centre or pay direct to Coromandel Music Society BNZ 02-0304-0310833-000 ($25.00 each, put your name as reference, pick up tickets at the door)
coromusicsociety.org.nz
Friday 4 May, 7.30pm
Whakatane
Church of St George & St John, 30 Domain Rd, Whakatane
Tickets: $30 Adult | $25 Concession | $5 Child
Available from ‘The Good Life’, The Strand, Whakatane.
Saturday 5 May, 2.30pm
Putaruru
Living Spring Christian Centre, 59 Tirau St, Putaruru
Tickets: $25 Adult | $20 South Waikato Music Society Members | Students free
Door sales cash only
Sunday 6 May 2018, 7pm
Palmerston North
Awhina Room, Caccia Birch House, 130 Te Awe Awe St, Palmerston North
Tickets: $25 Full | $20 concession | $50 for families (2 adults + 2 children) | $10 under 18 yrs
Available from Eventfinda
Monday 2 July 2018, 7.30pm
Rotorua
Memories Room, Princes Gate Hotel, 1057 Arawa St, Rotorua
Tickets: $30 Adult | $15 Student (18-25 yrs) | School-age children free, if accompanied by ticket holder.
Door sales from 7pm Or pre-sales from secretary@rotoruamusic.org.nz
rotoruamusic.org.nz
Tuesday 3 July 2018, 7:30pm
Hastings
Guild Room, St Matthew’s Anglican church, Corner King St South & Lyndon Rd West, Hastings
Tickets: $25 Full | $20 Concession | $50 for families (2 adults + 2 children) | $10 under 18 yrs
Available from Eventfinda
Tuesday 16 October 2018, 7:30pm
Dunedin
House Concert
Wednesday 17 October 2018, 7:30pm
Oamaru
St Lukes Anglican Church, Corner of Tees St and Itchen St, Oamaru
Tickets: Adult $25 | Senior $20 | Student $10
Bookings:
Bruce Albiston: info@burnsidehomestead.com or txt 022 687 6365
Annie Baxter: livingtrad@xtra.co.nz or txt 027 648 6023
All bookings reserved in front seating. Door sales on night.
Thursday 18 October 2018, 7pm
Timaru
St Mary’s Church, 24 Church St, Timaru
Tickets: $25 Adult | $5 Children
Available from St Mary’s Office (03) 688 8377, 027 275 7563 or lucy.stmarys@yahoo.com.au
Friday 19 October 2018, 7.30pm
Rangiora
Chamber Gallery, Rangiora Library
Tickets: $30 Adults | $10 Students
Available from Rangiora Library (cash or cheque only)
Saturday 20 October, 3:30pm for 4pm start
Christchurch
House Concert, Corsair Bay
Tickets: $35 (including refreshments)
Available from 021 134 1797
Sunday 21 October 2018, 3pm
Picton
Picton Little Theatre, 9 Dublin St, Picton
Tickets: $25 (includes afternoon tea)
Available from Take Note (Picton) or Alyssums (Blenheim)
pictonlittletheatre.weebly.com
Thursday 25 October, 8pm
Wellington
Aro Valley Community Centre, 48 Aro St, Wellington
Tickets: $30 Full | $20 Concessions | $10 under 18 yrs | $60 Families (2 Adults + 2 Children)
Available from Eventfinda. Service fees may apply.
