Upcoming community events

Born in Auckland, Tony Yan Tong Chen has performed throughout New Zealand, North America and Europe. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he recently completed his Masters degree at the Cleveland Institute of Music and is now about to continue his piano studies at the University of Cincinatti. Winner of New Zealand's Wallace International Piano Competition in 2019, Tony has since been placed in a number of other International competitions. In 2021 his debut album received finalist selection for the Aotearoa Music Awards. His Waikanae concert will open with Beethoven's concise Opus 90 Sonata. A delightfully playful Chopin Waltz then introduces Chopin's great Bb Minor Sonata - the one frequently known as "the Funeral March Sonata" and considered to be one of the greatest piano sonatas ever written. The next part of the concert will be devoted to the music of Alexander Scriabin, a Russian composer whose early music was greatly influenced by Chopin. A charming Waltz and a selection of impassioned Etudes from Opus 8 will lead to his impressive fifth Sonata. Written in one continuous movement, this dramatic sonata is filled with explosive outbursts that contrast with moments of haunting stillness. To conclude the concert is an amazing work by a little-known composer. Sergei Bortkiewicz, a Russian of Polish/Ukrainian heritage, was influenced by Rachmaninov and Scriabin, and although he lived until 1952 continued to write in a late Romantic style. Although he was largely forgotten for some time, his music is currently being "re-discovered" and immensely enjoyed by those who hear it. Door sales will be available or tickets can be purchased from Waikanae New World or Moby Dickens Books in Paraparaumu Beach. Ticket information: www.waikanaemusic.org.nz or 022 345 5316.