Mulled Wine Concerts Featherston

04/02/2024

Nikolai Saratovsky
World pianist to play in Featherston & Masterton in March

Wairarapa concert-goers raved about Nikolai Saratovsky on his all-too-brief visit to New Zealand last year. The master pianist is a highly regarded academic professor in the prestigious Music Department of the University of Taiwan. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of classical piano and an impeccable technique and is in great demand for student masterclasses wherever he goes in the world.

His NZ mentor, Mary Gow first met him in Brussels on a concert tour of her own. "I knew right away that this young man was very special" she says. "He has such fire and dynamism in his playing and he demonstrated such an understanding of the great composers, even the ones demanding great skill and technique. I knew he would be going far". At the first opportunity, she arranged a concert tour to New Zealand for him. "He fell in love with the country", she says. "He loves the outdoors, and NZ worked its spell on him."

Nikolai has returned several times, even though he has received international recognition, occupies an important teaching post and whenever he gives a concert, fills prestigious concert halls in the Far East and in Europe.

Nikolai will be playing at the ANZAC Hall in Featherston on Sunday March 3, 2024, 3 PM. The programme will include Chopin Preludes, Brahms Opus 76, Scriabin and more.

Information and tickets ($35, student $15) from [email protected] and the Dickensian Bookshop, Featherston. Mrs Blackwell's Bookshop in Greytown. I:Site in a Martinborough.

Tickets: pre-sales $35 adults ($15 students under 16).

Online sales: [email protected] - Info: 021 101 9609
Info: www.mulledwineconcerts.com, or like us on FaceBook: Mulled Wine Concerts.
Ticket outlets: Dickensian Bookshop, Featherston; i:SITE Martinborough
and Masterton; Mrs Blackwell& #39;s Village Bookshop, Greytown.

27/07/2023

In Masterton!

26/06/2023

Young Kiwi Pianist to Wow Wairapa Audience
Mulled Wine Concerts Presents BENJAMIN CARTER
A genuine Kiwi home-grown talent, Ben Carter hails from Lower Hutt and
comes from a very musical family – both his parents play in the New Zealand
Symphony Orchestra! Perhaps inevitably, Ben has grown up with music and
has developed his own special talent, which will be on display at the ANZAC
Hall in Featherston on Friday 21 July when Mary Gow& #39;s Mulled Wine
Concerts organisation will put on a concert for him. Wairarapa audiences will
get a chance to see a stunning young musician at the very start of what
promises to be a stellar career. To make the concert even more exciting,
audiences will hear concert-level performances on two instruments - piano
and cello - as Ben presents masterpieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Bach,
Prokofiev and Scriabin.
Ben has played piano, cello and his surprise instrument, the ukelele from a
young age. He is a first-year student at Victoria University School of Music
where he is concentrating on studying piano under the guidance of Professor
Jian Liu. He has been successful in competitions at the regional and national
level – last year he won the National Performing Arts Award, this time playing
the cello. He will shortly be off to Zhuhai, China as the New Zealand entry for
the 50 th International Mozart Competition for young musicians.
Although young, Ben does not lack performing experience – he has appeared
as a soloist with the NZSO at their 75 th anniversay celebrations, and also with
musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. He was Principal Cellist
of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in 2021 and Principal Cellist of the NZ
Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra 2001-2002.
A versatile musician such as Benjamin Carter does not come along very often
and Mulled Wine Concerts is proud to present a performance that will be sure
to be well attended and talked about for a very long time.

Mulled Wine Concerts presents a cello and piano recital by Benjamin Carter at 7:30
PM on Friday 21 July 2023 at the Anzac Hall, Bell Street, Featherston.
Tickets: pre-sales $35 adults ($15 students under 16).
Online sales: [email protected]. Tel: 021 101 9609
Info: www.mulledwineconcerts.com, or like us on FaceBook: Mulled Wine Concerts.
Ticket outlets: Dickensian Bookshop, Featherston; i:SITE Martinborough
and Masterton; Mrs Blackwell& #39;s Village Bookshop, Greytown.

12/06/2023

12/06/2023

Not to be missed!

11/05/2023

https://mulledwineconcerts.com/audio/RogerFox56k.mp3

FERRY MEETS FOX
A BLUES AND JAZZ EXPERIENCE: MULLED WINE CONCERTS PRESENT RODGER FOX AND ERNA FERRY
The continuing populatrity of jazz and blues as an art form lies in the simple fact that listening to that live music and watching those musicians close up gives an audience a good feeling. New Zealand's premier jazzman, Rodger Fox knows how to please an audience and he has been doing this for many years now.
It is no surprise that Mary Gow, the organiser of the Mulled Wine Concert Series in Featherston is organising a concert featuring Rodger and his special guest Erna Ferry on Saturday evening, 21 May 2023 at the ANZAC Hall. "We like to get the best" says Mary "and these two, Rodger and Erna have proved that they can deliver every time!".
As Rodger says of the FERRY MEETS FOX concert featuring Erna Ferry on vocals and the magic Rodger Fox trombone: "The concert will blend our love of Jazz / Blues and Latin. You'll hear a jazz version of the Rolling Stones tune "Can't Get No Satisfaction"……..followed by a Beatles classic's "Things We Said Today", "Can't Buy me Love" and "Oh Darlin' and then some storming blues………I Got My Mojo Working …….and a Ska version of a mash-up of Blue Skies and In Walked Bud…and the final piece of the the musical puzzle is check out our versions of some Tom Waits material………and many, many others - we'll have a concert to remember!"
Rodger and Erna will be backed by a top-flight jazz combo featuring Anita Schwabe, piano; Rory Macartney, bass; Lance Philip, drums; Bryn van Vliet, saxophone and Cameron Robertson, trumpet.
Wairarapa jazz aficionados will be in for a great evening!
RODGER FOX
ANZAC Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston 5710
Friday 31 March 2023 at 7:30 PM
Tickets: Adults $35 Students (under 16) $15.
Online sales: [email protected] - Info: 021 101 9609
Ticket outlets: Dickensian Bookshop, Featherston; iSite Martinborough and Masterton; Mrs Blackwell's Village Bookshop, 93 Main Street, Greytown.

21/04/2023

FERRY MEETS FOX
A BLUES AND JAZZ EXPERIENCE: MULLED WINE CONCERTS PRESENT RODGER FOX AND ERNA FERRY
The continuing populatrity of jazz and blues as an art form lies in the simple fact that listening to that live music and watching those musicians close up gives an audience a good feeling. New Zealand's premier jazzman, Rodger Fox knows how to please an audience and he has been doing this for many years now.

It is no surprise that Mary Gow, the organiser of the Mulled Wine Concert Series in Featherston is organising a concert featuring Rodger and his special guest Erna Ferry on Saturday evening, 21 May 2023 at the ANZAC Hall. "We like to get the best" says Mary "and these two, Rodger and Erna have proved that they can deliver every time!".

As Rodger says of the FERRY MEETS FOX concert featuring Erna Ferry on vocals and the magic Rodger Fox trombone: "The concert will blend our love of Jazz / Blues and Latin. You'll hear a jazz version of the Rolling Stones tune "Can't Get No Satisfaction"……..followed by a Beatles classic's "Things We Said Today", "Can't Buy me Love" and "Oh Darlin' and then some storming blues………I Got My Mojo Working …….and a Ska version of a mash-up of Blue Skies and In Walked Bud…and the final piece of the the musical puzzle is check out our versions of some Tom Waits material………and many, many others - we'll have a concert to remember!"

Rodger and Erna will be backed by a top-flight jazz combo featuring Anita Schwabe, piano; Rory Macartney, bass; Lance Philip, drums; Bryn van Vliet, saxophone and Cameron Robertson, trumpet.

Wairarapa jazz aficionados will be in for a great evening!
RODGER FOX
ANZAC Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston 5710
Friday 31 March 2023 at 7:30 PM
Tickets: Adults $35 Students (under 16) $15.
Online sales: [email protected] - Info: 021 101 9609
Ticket outlets: Dickensian Bookshop, Featherston; iSite Martinborough and Masterton; Mrs Blackwell's Village Bookshop, 93 Main Street, Greytown.

21/02/2023

TOP EUROPEAN CONCERT PIANIST IN FEATHERSTON
MULLED WINE CONCERTS PRESENTS MICHAEL ENDRES

Wairarapa classical music enthusiasts have been giving a warm reception to the Mulled
Wine Concert series presented by Mary Gow. During 2022, the series covered six concerts
ranging from formal piano recitals through harp and violin duos to a full-on big-band jazz
session. With support from local arts organisations and commercial sponsors, Gow – a
concert pianist herself – is intent on building upon her success last year to present a
further series of concerts in the Wairarapa during 2023.
The highly regarded German pianist Michael Endres will return to give a second Mulled
Wine Concert in Featherston's Anzac Hall on Friday 31 March at 7:30 PM. International
critics have described Endres as "one of the most interesting pianists recording today". He
has released 35 CDs during his career and his extensive prizewinning discography
includes the prestigious Diapason d’Or (France) which he was recently awarded for the
third time and the Choc du Musique which he has won twice. He has appeared at major
festivals and concert-halls all over the world. A prominent academic musician, Endres had
a distinguished teaching career in Germany, Norway and New Zealand before he decided
to concentrate on performance and recording.
His reviews from music publications have been outstanding: Diapason magazine said of
his 2018 release “Splendidly recorded by Cologne Radio, in an acoustic which allows the
piano to resonate with a fullness, a brilliance without hardness, and a breadth of sonority
which is ideal for Schubert, these works chosen by Michael Endres flow endlessly between
jubilation and drama.”
His Featherston programme will include Beethoven's “Moonlight Sonata”, a selection from
Schubert's “Impromptus” (Op.142), Chopin's “Barcarolle” and music from the great
American composer, George Gershwin.
Mulled Wine Concerts organiser Mary Gow says, " We are very excited to be presenting a
series of new Wairarapa concerts this year. As before, our objective is to present the best
music while keeping admission prices at an affordable level. The wonderful ANZAC Hall in
Featherston has excellent acoustics and a splendid piano. What a pleasure it will be to
hear exquisite music in such a pleasant setting!"

========= ENDS =========
Mulled Wine Concerts present Michael Endres, piano recital
ANZAC Hall, 62 Bell Street, Featherston 5710
Friday 31 March 2023 at 7:30 PM
Tickets: Adults $35 Students (under 16) $15.
Online sales: [email protected] Info: 021 101 9609
Ticket outlets: Dickensian Bookshop, Featherston; iSite Martinborough and Masterton; Mrs
Blackwell's Village Bookshop, 93 Main Street, Greytown.

24/01/2023

HELEN WEBBY'S NIKAU HARP TRIO (Violin, Cello, Harp)

Masterton Friday 10 February, 7.30- 8.45 pm (St Matthews College)

Music composed for harp, violin and cello is extraordinary and beautiful - the plucked harp strings are vibrant and brilliant, whilst the bowed violin and cello strings are sustained and sonorous.

Named after the magnificent carved palm on Helen's harp with its golden huia bird on the soundboard, Nikau Harp Trio bring to life the glittering magical world of harp with strings.

Nikau's program opens with joyful Baroque trio by George Frideric Handel, to the world of French romance by the little known woman composer and harpist Henriette Renié, followed by her compatriot Jaques Ibert and his sparkling witty Trio, written in 1943.

Pop your effervescent drink of choice for the second half, and enjoy Mozart's Blue Rondo, Fandangos & Swing by Cole Porter, Gershwin et al, the hypnotic haze of Irons' Dreamland, Nikau's own arrangement of Debussy's timeless Clair de Lune, to arrive at pulsating Tango of Piazzolla's Argentina. Dancers welcome!

With nature featuring strongly in this ensemble's ethos, the trio are delighted to include Korimako Bells, written for them by NZ film composer Mark Smythe, inspired by the call of the Bellbird. The trio also are passionate about the Abel Tasman's Birdsong Trust, which aims to return the sound of native birdcalls to the forests and beaches of this national park.

Nikau is a trio of outstanding musicians - Helen Webby, Cathy Irons and Paul Mitchell; with extensive NZ and international experience. Webby and Irons successfully toured South Island as a duo in 2021 with many requests to return, and are delighted to invite Mitchell to join them on tour this year, to create Nikau Harp Trio.

Helen Webby's harp was made by her brother Kim Webby. Now he makes professional full size concert harps, and recently finished a commissioned harp for the NZSO.

Helen Webby (harp) Principal Harp with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, studied harp in Auckland. She teaches harp players of all ages in Christchurch and Dunedin and plays solo and chamber music.

Cathy Irons (violin) performs regularly in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO), including roles such as acting assistant concertmaster. She tours concerts regularly throughout NZ and further afield, in Australia and South Africa.

Paul Mitchell studied cello at The University of Auckland and plays as principal cello in Bach Musica NZ and the Auckland Chamber Orchestra.

Mulled Wine Concerts in Featherston

02/08/2022

The 2023 programme is evolving and is looking good.

We are now offering the Special Early Bird Offer on the 2023 programme. (Note the price difference - door prices are to remain at $30, door sales at $35).

The venues are being negotiated at the moment - St Peter's Hall and Memorial Hall (for concerts with piano).

Thanks to those who have already signed up - that is very encouraging.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday 14 August - have fun listening to Lorelle McNaughton's interview on Coast Access Radio which will be posted on the website in a couple of days.

Suggested listening for preparation - Alicia de Larrocha- still performed at 87 in public in 2009, the year of her death. (All 4ft 7 " of her)

Raffle - proceeds towards Lorelle's travel expenses and accommodation and donations for the mulled wine ingredients are always welcome. Main prizes from Ceinwen Howard Realty, Peter Ware - Voyle Reality, Cafe and restaurant vouchers, pharmacies and more!!! $5/10/20 and online payments onsite!

2023 Mulled Wine Concerts in
FEATHERSTON & PAEKAKARIKI

HELEN WEBBY’S NIKAU HARP TRIO (Violin, Cello, Harp)
Featherston Friday 10 February, 7.30- 8.45 pm
Paekakariki Sunday 12 February, 2.30 - 4 pm (St Peter's Hall)

IOTA PIANO QUINTET (NZSO)
Paekakariki - Sunday 5 March, 2.30 pm (Memorial Hall)

CHAMBER MUSIC PIANO TRIO (tba)
Featherston - Friday 31 March, 7.30 pm
Paekakariki - Sunday 2 April, 2.30 pm (Memorial Hall)

RODGER FOX JAZZ ENSEMBLE - with special guests.
Featherston Friday 26 May at 7.30 pm
Paekakariki Sunday 28 May at 2.30 pm (Venue tba)

NIKOLAI SARATOVSKY PIANO RECITAL
Featherston Friday 23 June at 7.30 pm
Paekakariki Sunday 25 June at 2.30 pm (Memorial Hall)

PIANO DUO
Featherston Friday 21 July at 7.30 pm (Anzac Hall)
Paekakariki Sunday 23 July at 2.30 pm (Memorial Hall)

NZ STRING QUARTET (NZSQ)
Featherston Friday 11 August at 7.30 pm
Paekakariki Sunday 13 August at 2.30 pm

Tickets and general info - contact : [email protected], tel:
021 101 9609

Special Offer on Season Tickets for Wairarapa and Paekakariki concerts.

$144 for SIX Concerts, (Excluding Rodger Fox) valid until 31/12/2022

($166 from 01/01/2023)

20/07/2022

PIANO RECITAL IN FEATHERSTON'S ANZAC HALL
LORELLE McNAUGHTON - FRIDAY 12 AUGUST at 6 PM

New Zealand pianist Lorelle McNaughton carries a wide breadth of knowledge and experience after years of tertiary study in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. She has performed extensively across the globe and was recently invited to perform at the 'Oceania' Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. After ten years living abroad, Lorelle has returned to New Zealand to continue her successful career.

Mulled Wine Concerts will present Lorelle McNaughton in Featherston's ANZAC HALL on Friday August 12 from 6-7 PM. Lorelle has been particularly commended for her inspired interpretation of the Spanish piano repertoire.

She lived in Spain for three years and completed a Master of Spanish Music in Barcelona gaining an invaluable insight into the works of the great Spanish composers. An aficionado of the vibrant and passionate art form of flamenco which emerged from the gypsy quarters of Southern Spain, she says “during my time in Spain teachers thought I must've been a gypsy in a former life!”

On the programme will be three Spanish Dances Op.37 by Enrique Granados, “Aragonesa” and “Andaluza” pieces by Manuel de Falla, the Andalusian Spanish composer and pianist, one of Spain's finest musicians of the 20th century, French composer Claude Debussy's “Estampes” and the concert will end with Isaac Albéniz's Book Three of Iberia.

While looking forward to performing this repertoire in Featherston, Lorelle hopes to inspire listeners to explore more of this wonderfully colourful and evocative music. Bringing a breath of warm Spanish sunshine to midwinter Wairarapa, this will be a concert to delight everyone.

Mulled Wine Concerts presents Lorelle McNaughton (piano)
ANZAC HALL, 62 Bell Street, Featherston 5710 Friday 12 August 2022, 6 – 7 PM.

Tickets: Pre-sales $30/$15 (Child under 16). DOOR SALES $35

Online sales: [email protected] Tel: 021 101 9609

Ticket outlets: Chicken & Frog Bookstore, 3 Clifford Square, Featherston; iSite Martinborough; Mrs Blackwell's Village Bookstore, 93 Main St., Greytown

07/07/2022

FLUTE AND HARP DUO TO PLAY IN FEATHERSTON ON JULY 15
The instrumental combination of flute and harp has been popular forover two
hundred and fifty years. With glorious works like Mozart’s Concerto for Flute
and Harp of 1778 this combination of instruments has inspired generations of
composers.
Wairarapa audiences are in for a treat on Friday July 15 at 6 PMwhen Bridget
Douglas (flute) and Michelle Velvin (harp) present a concert in the historic
ANZAC Hall, Featherston.
Starting with the romantic French tradition of Ravel the duo will take you on a
journey through France, Argentina, Japan and NewZealand with a programme
of music that uses either dance or the natural world as the genesis for each
work. The programme will consist of works by Farr, Ravel, Ibert, Takemitsu and
Persichetti.
Mulled Wine Concerts has more than 15 years experience in organising
classical music concerts, and the move to the Wairarapa is a big development.
Mary Gow is in charge of the concert and she looks forward to it. “Both
musicians are at the very top of their game” she says “Bridget is the principal
flute player of the NZSO and Michelle performs regularly with NZSO and
teaches at the New Zealand School of Music, so audiences will absolutely be
hearing the best players in their field”.
==================
Mulled Wine Concerts presents Bridget Douglas (flute) and MichelleVelvin
(harp)
Friday July 15 at 6:00 PM at ANZAC Hall, 62 Bell Street,Featherston 5710.
Tickets $30 (adults) and $15 (students under 16) available onlinefrom
[email protected].
Shop outlets:-
Chicken & Frog Bookstore, 3 Clifford Square, FeatherstoniSite, Martinborough
Mrs Blackwell’s Village Bookshop, 93 Main St,
Greytownwww.mulledwineconcerts.com/featherston

15/03/2022

Next concert!

12/02/2022

PRESS RELEASE
MULLED WINE CONCERTS
OLD FRIENDS REUNITE FOR CONCERT IN FEATHERSTON

The dynamic piano trio “Vieux Amis” (Old Friends) brings together three musicians who are longstanding friends, neighbours and musical collaborators. Violinist Justine Cormack, cellist James Bush and pianist Sarah Watkins all grew up together in Christchurch and were involved in music at the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music. All are enjoying stellar international musical careers.

They are delighted that North Island concert organisers Mulled Wine Concerts have asked them to perform. Organiser Mary Gow says “I'm very happy that musicians of such a high standard will be able to perform for Wairarapa audiences and I'm sure that even with the current restrictions, they will be able to present a fantastic performance”.

The ever-present Covid restrictions may limit the number of seats available and require vaccine passes to be shown, but Gow is not letting this slow her down. “We will do everything we can to ensure the concert goes ahead and we are working very hard to ensure that we comply with all the requirements to keep our musicians in work and the audience and performers safe”, she said.

The programme will include works by J.S. Bach, Dmitri Shostakovich and Arvo Pärt. The latter was born in Estonia and is one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary classical music. The programme will showcase original works by him and his arrangement of an Adagio from Mozart's piano sonata in F minor.

The concert will take place at Featherston's much-loved ANZAC Hall. The schedule calls for an early start at 6:00 PM finishing at 7:00 PM in time to allow concertgoers to dine afterwards.

Mulled Wine Concerts present Vieux Amis: Piano Trio
ANZAC HALL, 62 Bell Street, Featherston 5710.
6:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday 11 March 2022
Tickets $30 adults (students $15). Door sales

Online sales: [email protected] Tel: 021 101 9609
Ihttp://.mulledwineconcerts.com, or like us on FaceBook: MWCFeatherston

Ticket outlets: Chicken & Frog, 3 Clifford Square. Featherston 5710; Mrs Blackwell's Village Bookshop, 93 Main St, Greytown 5712.

11/02/2022

We are very excited about our first concert in Featherston!