MEDIA RELEASE
The Eggner Trio
A truly fraternal three some.
Georg Eggner, violin; Florian Eggner, cello; Christoph Eggner, piano
The Eggner Trio, three young, handsome brothers famed for their “musically impassioned togetherness”, visit New Zealand
for the first time in October 2006.
Winners of the 2003 Melbourne International Chamber Music competition, the Eggner Trio will play nine concerts
nationwide for Chamber Music New Zealand.
The Eggner Trio were founded in 1997 and are based in Vienna. Boasting an impressive tour diary, the trio perform
regularly in concerts and festivals throughout Europe, North America and Japan. In April 2006 they were nominated for
the Carnegie Hall Rising Stars Project. Critic Rodney Smith comments;
“Among the Eggner Trio's many strengths, two are paramount. They play as one and adopt a fresh approach to each work
they tackle.”
Mentored and tutored by Juir Smirnov (Vienna Brahms Trio) Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio), Gunter Pichler and Thomas
Kakuska (Alban Berg Quartet) the brothers individually have amassed a mantle piece full of prizes and awards.
Georg Eggner plays a Joseph Gagliano violin (1779) and Florian Eggner a Carl Richter cello (1907).
In celebration of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich's centenary, the Eggner Trio will play both of Shostakovich's
piano trios. Programme One, to be performed in Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland, Christchurch, Palmerston North and
Wellington, will feature the Piano Trio in E minor Opus 67. This was composed in 1944 after the early death of his dear
friend the music critic, Sollertinsky.
Shostakovich has been described as one of the most profound commentators of the 21st century. The piece, containing
musical references to Slavic folk song, Yiddish dance tunes and to the Jewish concentration camp inmates, is a memorial
to all those who have died tragically before their time.
Austria is widely considered to be the spiritual home of Chamber Music and Programme two features BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio
in B flat Opus 97 'Archduke’. This piece was dedicated to his good friend and pupil, Archduke Rudolph of Austria. Many
of the chamber pieces written during this time had become increasingly more difficult to play and were intended for
professional chamber groups. Chamber music moved out of the homes of enthusiasts and into the concert halls. This piece
is also significant as after its premier in 1811 Beethoven realized he had become too deaf to continuing playing
publicly. This was his last ever performance.
The Eggners Trio through their fraternal bond and years of playing together bring an uncommon clarity of vision and
definition of purpose to all the works they perform.
It’s enough to make any mother proud!
Chamber Music New Zealand gratefully acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand. For more information, visit
www.chambermusic.co.nz, or phone 0800 CONCERT (266 2378)
EGGNER TRIO
Programme Details
Programme 1
MOZART: Piano Trio in B flat K502
BRAHMS: Piano Trio in C minor Opus 101
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio in E minor Opus 67
Programme 2
BRAHMS: Piano Trio in C minor Opus 101
SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Trio No 1 in C minor Opus 8
BEETHOVEN: Piano Trio in B flat Opus 97 'Archduke'
Tour details
October:
Monday 9th Nelson, Nelson School of Music Programme 2
Tuesday 10th Invercargill, Centre stage Programme 1
Wednesday 11th Dunedin, Glenroy Auditorium Programme 1
Thursday 12th Auckland Town Hall Programme 2
Saturday 14th New Plymouth, Theater Royal Programme 2
Monday 16th Christchurch, James hay Theatre Programme 1
Tuesday 17th Napier, Century Theatre Programme 2
Wednesday 18th Palmerston North, Regent on Broadway Programme 1
Thursday 19th Wellington, Town Hall Programme 1
Tickets:
$55 A Res, $45 B Res
$15 Student Rush, available on the day (ID required)
Book at Ticketek, ph (04) 384 3840
Service fees apply
All concerts 8pm.
ENDS