Listen to Sarah Watkins on Coast Access Radio

Sarah Watkins and Bede Hanley

PIANO AND OBOE CONCERT IN PAEKAKARIKI
Kapiti classical music enthusiasts have been giving a warm reception to the Mulled Wine Concert series presented by Mary Gow. These concerts, held in the seaside village of Paekakariki have featured the best of New Zealand's musicians playing a wide variety of music from both classical and modern composers. "Our aim is to bring music to the region without the expense of travelling to the capital" says Gow. "Our audiences have grown over the years and obviously appreciate the opportunity to hear great music in an intimate setting" . Paekakariki's Memorial Hall is situated on the seafront looking out on to the beautiful sandy beach with views to Kapiti Island. The village offers much in the way of artistic and culinary interest, not to mention beach activities and outdoor walks and trails.
The Mulled Wine Concert to be held on Sunday 16 August will feature two well-known artistes for an afternoon of pastoral, nature-themed duos and solos. Auckland Philharmonia prin-cipal oboist Bede Hanley, acclaimed for his "gorgeous tone and buoyant phrasing" joins pianist Sarah Watkins (3-time Classical Artist of the Year). Watkins is a graduate of the University of Canterbury (NZ) and the Juilliard School in New York City, While living in the US, Sarah worked as a staff pianist at Juilliard, Yale University, and the Aspen Music Festival. In 2023 she was appointed Senior Lecturer in piano at the University of Auckland. Bede Hanley and Sarah Watkins have known each other since he took up the position of principal oboe in the Auckland Philharmonia back in 2008. Most recently they have toured for CMNZ as part of Trio Obscura, with violist Robert Ashworth - that was a programme of music for quite a rare combination of instruments.
The Paekakariki programme is equally one whose repertoire may seem very unfamiliar. But it's a beautiful mix of pastoral and colourful duos and solos, and a wonderful opportunity to experience the lyricism of the oboe outside of an orchestral setting.
French colours feature prominently in music by Saint-Saëns, Godard and Lili Boulanger; Bede's home country is in full bloom in a bouquet of Calla Lilies and Japanese garden scenes from Canadian composers Coulthard and Mozetich; American composers Peter Schickele and Althea Talbot-Howard offer something both old and new, while Douglas Lilburn's ever popular "Three Sea Changes" brings nature closer to home. Placed into the seaside setting of Paekakariki, a grand afternoon of music is in prospect!