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Works by Beethoven, Mozart, Romberg and Breval will be performed on period instruments in the latest installment of the Warkworth Music series.
Hammers and Horsehair will perform Matakana’s Ascension Wine Estate on July 2 from 4pm.
The Wellington duo, Douglas Mews and Robert Ibell, are travelling the country with a Broadwood square piano, made in England in the first half of the Nineteenth Century.
Robert’s cello was made in the 18th century – probably before Beethoven was even born. It came to New Zealand in 1940 with Greta Ostova, a Czech escaping the Nazi occupation. Greta became a founding member of the National Orchestra (NZSO).
The duo will be adding candles to the mix to finish off the aura of authenticity.
“We’re looking to create a special atmosphere,” Douglas says. “The candles are part of that, but we’ll also be chatting with the audience as if we were playing in their sitting room at home.
“The old instruments and playing style are key aspects of it too. People will be able to hear the music much as it would have been heard by audiences when it was written 2 hundred years ago.”
