SATURDAY 19 August 2023, 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Akarana Piano Quartet is presented in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand.
Chamber Music New Zealand’s In Partnership Series is supported by the Deane Endowment Trust, Foundation North and the Stout Trust.

PROGRAMME
Joaquin Turina Piano Quartet in A minor, Op 67
Bohuslav Martinů Piano Quartet No 1, H287
Interval
Janet Jennings New commission after Paul Klee’s New Harmony
Robert Schumann Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op 47

ĀKARANA PIANO QUARTET
Andrew Beer (violin), Robert Ashworth (viola), Chen Cao (cello), Sarah Watkins (piano)

Canadian-born violinist Andrew Beer was appointed the concertmaster of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in 2014 and continues to perform extensively throughout the world as soloist, chamber musician, and guest concertmaster. He and Sarah first joined forces for a successful CMNZ tour in 2015, and were named Best Classical Artists at the 2020 NZ Music Awards for their CD of New Zealand violin-piano duos, 11 Frames.

Robert Ashworth, also born in Canada, has been guest-principal viola for most of the major Australasian orchestras, and was appointed to the APO as principal viola in 2007. An enthusiastic chamber musician, he plays in the Jade String Quartet, and has recorded for the Atoll and Rattle Labels, as well as many performances recorded for RNZ Concert.

Chen Cao is a gifted young cellist who has performed widely throughout his native China and the US, where he graduated from both the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School. He joined the APO in 2020 as sub-principal cellist and toured for CMNZ in the 2021 season presentation of Tales of the 20s.

Pianist Sarah Watkins is well known to New Zealand audiences as a founding member of NZTrio, and these days can be heard performing in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Auckland Chamber Orchestra, as an official accompanist at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition and Gisborne International Music Competition, and on numerous recordings broadcast regularly on Radio NZ Concert.

With thanks to our Patrons, Sponsors, Donors, Supporters & Volunteers who make these concerts possible