Waikanae Music Society will present a concert by the Wellington-based ensemble Strings Amore on Sunday 28 August. Strings Amore brings together five accomplished string players in a programme that showcases the beautiful viola d’amore, an instrument especially loved by famous Baroque composers Vivaldi, Telemann, Graupner and Bach, all of whom will feature in this concert.
The viola d’amore, or viola “of love,” is a bowed stringed instrument which gained great popularity in the eighteenth century. Played like a violin, it is unusual in having six or more strings. Its most distinguishable characteristic is the presence of sympathetic strings, which are not played but located behind the bowed strings and which vibrate “in sympathy.” These sympathetic strings contribute to produce a tone that is especially sweet, clear and resonant, often described as “silvery”.
Donald Maurice is renowned internationally for his mastery of this exquisite and seldom heard instrument. He will be joined by violinist Martin Riseley (Head of Strings at New Zealand School of Music) as well as violinist Rupa Maitra, violist Sophie Acheson and cellist Margaret Guldborg – all sought-after musicians who are members of Orchestra Wellington. In a programme that includes concertos for viola d’amore, there will also be works for two violas d’amore and for viola d’amore and violin. In addition there will be one of Bach’s greatest Violin Concertos and Telemann’s beautiful Viola Concerto.
The concert is presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand. Door sales will be available or tickets can be bought from Waikanae New World and Moby Dickens Books in Paraparaumu Beach. For more information or for online payments please contact 021 251 7030 or visit the Waikanae Music Society website www.waikanaemusic.org.nz