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A VERY SPECIAL PIANIST RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND: MULLED WINE CONCERTS PRESENTS NIKOLAI SARATOVSKY Nikolai Saratovsky is an internationally acclaimed Russian concert pianist with an extraordinary repertoire. Mary Gow, organiser of the Paekakariki-based Mulled Wine Concerts discovered Saratovsky in 2018 when he played in Brussels as a young pianist after succeeding in several important piano competitions in Europe. "I was amazed by his virtuosity" says Gow, a concert pianist herself, "He not only had a love for the music, he had all the technical skill-set you need to express yourself fully on the piano". She told him she came from New Zealand and he then told her that he and his Japanese-born wife had always dreamed of visiting New Zealand! As Gow notes, "from there, it was a short step to discussing possibilities..." His effect on audiences here was remarkable - everyone who heard him knew that they were seeing and hearing something special. Since then, audiences around the world have come to the same conclusion. Saratovsky is now a professor of piano at the huge music school of Taiwan University where he combines teaching and academic research with his performing career, appearing in major concert venues worldwide. He also gives master-classes for aspiring international concert pianists. Nikolai himself says this of his visits here: "This will be already the fifth time I am coming to NZ, and every time I feel extremely happy to come. I have lived and worked in Taiwan for more than 6 years. I have many memories from NZ. New Zealand is very different from Taiwan, and for me it's very important to "charge my inner spiritual battery". Coming to New Zealand is the ideal choice. Combination of meeting my lovely friends, conversations beside the fire place, fantastic sunsets, and music making makes this trip truly remarkable" He has chosen a wonderful set of music for his recital: "I chose this program by myself, because at this moment of life I prefer to play something that gives me a positive energy. I feel very compassionate with these music works, and they help me to recover during difficult times. I am happy to share this beautiful music with the audience, and I am looking forward for this fascinating musical journey". The concert will start with Western European romantic composers and conclude with pieces by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. Mary Gow feels that his visit to New Zealand represents a wonderful opportunity for Kapiti audiences to catch a star already well known in Europe, Russia and the Far East. "This concert I regard as one of the most important and for the North Island, not-to-be-missed!" Mulled Wine Concerts will sponsor his appearance at the Paekakariki Memorial Hall on Sunday, June 14. OTHER CONCERTS Saturday June 13 at 4 pm. ANZAC HALL, Featherston Wednesday June 17 at 7.30 pm Nelson Centre Musical Arts - Tickets from NCMA and Eventfinda Thursday June 18 at 7.30 pm Blenheim Whitehaven Theatre Tickets from Eventfinda ============================== Mulled Wine Concerts presents a piano recital by Nikolai Saratovsky at 2:30 PM on Sunday 14 June, 2026 at the Paekakariki Memorial Hall, The Parade, Paekakariki. Tickets: $35adults ($15 students under 14). Online sales: [email protected]. Tel: 021 101 9609 . Info: www.mulledwineconcerts.com, or FaceBook: Mulled Wine Concerts Ticket outlets (please note: cash only) : Magpie Paramata, Mana Esplanade; Finn's Hotel, Paekākāriki; Moby Dickens Bookshop, Paraparaumu Beach; Jenoa, 2 Mahara Place, Waikanae.