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Programme Beethoven: Piano Trio, Opus 70, No 1 "The Ghost" Takemitsu: Between Tides Glen Downie: Sonata da chiesa Shostakovich: Piano Trio No 2, Opus 67 The Ghost Trio will perform in Waikanae as part of a Chamber Music New Zealand tour. Popular New Zealand musicians Monique Lapins (violin), Ken Ichinose (cello) and pianist Gabriela Glapska are all familiar faces on the Waikanae stage, having appeared with numerous other chamber ensembles. They have named their group after the work they are about to perform on this tour - Beethoven's Opus 70, No 2 trio which is known as "The Ghost" because of the eerie, ominous sounds in the gloomy second movement. The two outer movements are much brighter, the first bold and energetic, the third witty and playful. Two brief and contrasting works complete the first half of this varied concert. Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu has been acclaimed as the most important composer in Japanese musical history. His piece "Between Tides" illustrates his great love of nature. New Zealand composer Glen Downie's new work (being premiered on this tour) was inspired by the simplicity of Vivaldi’s cello sonatas and the baroque form known as sonata da chiesa. The second half of the concert will be dominated by one of the greatest piano trios of the 20th Century - Shostakovich's Opus 67. Written in 1944 amid World War II, the trio responds to the conflicts of those times, but also to the composer's personal circumstances. It is an elegy for the tragic victims of war, but also expresses Shostakovich's grief at the sudden death of his closest friend and mentor Ivan Ivanovich Sollertinsky. The opening movement is bleak and despairing, followed by a lively, almost obsessive Scherzo. The third movement is a starkly beautiful funeral dirge while the last movement brings together themes from the previous movements, also introducing new Russian and Jewish themes. Door sales will be available for this concert or tickets can be bought from Waikanae New World and Moby Dickens Books in Paraparaumu Beach. Ticket enquiries can be made at 022 345 5316 or from the society's website www.waikanaemusic.org.nz The Ghost Trio concert is presented as part of Chamber Music New Zealand’s "In Partnership Series".