British Pianist Kathryn Stott Performs in Wellington in May

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Acclaimed British Pianist Kathryn Stott Performs in Wellington in May

“She plays wonderfully, allowed her music fluidity and space; her virtuoso outpourings are formidable” The Daily Telegraph (UK)

Grammy Award winning British pianist Kathryn Stott comes to Wellington in May as part of her first national tour in Chamber Music New Zealand’s Kaleidoscopes 2017 Season.

Kathryn, renowned for her long-time collaboration with revered cellist Yo-Yo Ma, joins the New Zealand String Quartet for seven concerts including a concert in Wellington on Monday 8 May on a tour also including Nelson, Christchurch, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland and Hamilton. The tour finishes with two solo recitals in New Plymouth and Napier.

The New Zealand String Quartet first played with Kathryn 10 years ago in Australia and later invited her to be a guest artist at the 2015 Adam Chamber Music Festival.

“We absolutely loved her playing – she has an intensely singing tone, very beautiful voicing and a virtuoso technique,” NZSQ violist Gillian said. “She’s also great fun to be around so it will be a treat to tour with her for Chamber Music New Zealand.”

Kathryn said touring with the New Zealand String Quartet for this extended period would provide more opportunity to get to know each other musically and see what changes in the performances over seven concerts. “I look forward to discovering many new aspects of New Zealand through travel and music.”

The programme for the Wellington concert contrasts the Czech inspiration behind Dvořák’s Quintet with Gillian Whitehead’s still, echoing.

“I have a hugely diverse interest, curiosity and wish to play music from all centuries, countries and genres and these programmes reflect that. Music from New Zealand is still relatively new to me, which is something I’m slowly getting to grips with,” Kathryn said.

She added that learning works for ensemble alone is challenging. “It’s not until that first rehearsal together that you think….'ah, that’s how it sounds!’”

She said still, echoing by Gillian Whitehead is a reworking of her Quintet for piano and winds so “it will be fascinating to see the subtle changes she has incorporated into this new version, and the effervescent Dvorak Piano Quintet is always such a joy to perform.”

Kathryn Stott and the New Zealand String Quartet perform at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington on Monday 8 May at 7.30pm with a Prelude series pre-concert talk at 6.45pm. Tickets are available through Ticketek www.ticketek.co.nz or phone 0800 TICKETEK (842 538). For further details visitwww.chambermusic.co.nz/kathrynstott

ENDS

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