Latest news with #Magnifique
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
NZTrio's Magnifique concert captivates with Schubert and Vasks
Schubert's one-movement Notturno offered eight minutes of total beguilement, delivered with true Viennese charm, its gentle hesitations hinting at a Strauss family waiting in the wings. The truly magnificent and beating heart of the programme came with Episodi e canto perpetuo, a 1985 work by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks, an intensely moving response to Messiaen's classic Quartet for the End of Time. There were close and specific parallels with the Messiaen, from a seat's edge, feverish dance in driving unisons to two oases of purest song, showcasing violinist Amalia Hall and the trio's new cellist Matthias Balzat. These culminated in a heart-stopping finale, uncredited in the printed programme, that moves irrevocably upwards, as if to heaven, Vasks having achieved his 'song of love' after travelling a 'difficult road through evil, delusion and suffering'. Here is a composer who navigates with enviable ease from traditional scoring – Bartok being inevitably referenced in two Burlesca movements – to the freer notations and effects of the later Lutoslawski. Yet he has been woefully under-represented in our concert halls. In my many decades of concert-going, I only recall one instance: cellist David Geringas in 2011 stunning a town hall audience after his Dvorak concerto with a short Vasks encore. After interval, Linda Dallimore's commissioned Self Portrait was short, agreeably astringent, and very much to the point, even if the young New Zealand composer had made more of its boppy final section, marked 'soulful, joyful, bluesy'. Saint-Saens' Second Piano Trio proved a workout of Olympian proportions for pianist Somi Kim. This is a sparkler of a score, with Hall and Balzat elegantly weaving around Kim's shifting, evanescent textures. All three musicians contributed equally to the brittle wit of its second movement, coming together in full strength for a thrilling, purposeful finale. How pleasing it is to heartily recommend this concert before the NZTrio take Magnifique to Cambridge on Wednesday, Rotorua on Thursday and Whakatāne on Friday.
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NZTRIO Welcomes New Permanent Cellist Matthias Balzat
Press Release – Elephant Publicity The renowned chamber ensemble NZTrio He Taonga Wairere are thrilled to announce the appointment of new permanent cellist, Matthias Balzat. Matthias, an award-winning performer, brings a wealth of local and international performing experience to the trio's next chapter. Matthias will take over from founding member Ashley Brown, and will join the extraordinarily talented Amalia Hall (violin) and Somi Kim (piano), who have been with NZTrio since 2019. He will join the trio on a guest basis this year before taking on the role permanently in February 2026. Matthias will have his first performances with the group during the Magnifique concerts in May, before joining NZTrio's Chamber Music New Zealand tour of Four Last Songs with acclaimed soprano Emma Pearson in October and NZTrio's Hypnotique tour in November. Somi and Amalia are thrilled with the appointment, and say 'Matthias' name was one of the first to spring to mind in our search for a new cellist, and we are excited to start this new chapter of NZTrio with him. We knew after just minutes of rehearsing with him that he was the one! Matti's energy and musicianship completely align with our core values at NZTrio, and we're going to have so much fun on and off stage together.' Matthias' musician journey began at the age of three, and has since taken him around the globe. Completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen, he also holds a prestigious Konzertexamen and Master's degree from the Robert Schumann Hochschule under Pieter Wispelwey in Düsseldorf. A seasoned performer, Matthias has graced stages across Europe, United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa, as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio. His appearances as a soloist include the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Köln, St. Matthew's Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Robert Schumann Hochschule Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. He has also performed at major festivals such as Aspen Music Festival, Classiche Forme, and Edinburgh Fringe. Over the course of his career to date, Matthias has worked with many renowned musicians, including Daniel Müller-Schott, Johannes Moser, and Wolfgang Schmidt, and has collaborated with notable conductors including Guy Noble, Benjamin Northey, and Rüdiger Bohn. He has won numerous prestigious competitions including the Accordi Musicali International Cello Competition, 69th ROSL Annual Music Competition, Sieghardt-Rometsch Concerto Competition, and the New Zealand National Concerto Competition, twice. Matthias performs with a Reiner Beilharz 2014 Cello, accompanied by a Klaus Grünke bow. Matthias says: 'I'm really excited to be joining NZTrio as their new cellist. After several years working as a freelance musician in Germany, the chance to return home to Aotearoa for a role like this feels incredibly special. NZTrio has long been a group I've admired—for their artistry, adventurous spirit, and deep connection to New Zealand's musical landscape. Stepping into this role is both a personal homecoming and a professional milestone. To take it on fully, I'll be unfortunately reducing the number of my commitments in Europe, yet driven to focusing my energy on this next chapter with the Trio.'
Scoop
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NZTRIO Welcomes New Permanent Cellist Matthias Balzat
The renowned chamber ensemble NZTrio He Taonga Wairere are thrilled to announce the appointment of new permanent cellist, Matthias Balzat. Matthias, an award-winning performer, brings a wealth of local and international performing experience to the trio's next chapter. Matthias will take over from founding member Ashley Brown, and will join the extraordinarily talented Amalia Hall (violin) and Somi Kim (piano), who have been with NZTrio since 2019. He will join the trio on a guest basis this year before taking on the role permanently in February 2026. Matthias will have his first performances with the group during the Magnifique concerts in May, before joining NZTrio's Chamber Music New Zealand tour of Four Last Songs with acclaimed soprano Emma Pearson in October and NZTrio's Hypnotique tour in November. Somi and Amalia are thrilled with the appointment, and say 'Matthias' name was one of the first to spring to mind in our search for a new cellist, and we are excited to start this new chapter of NZTrio with him. We knew after just minutes of rehearsing with him that he was the one! Matti's energy and musicianship completely align with our core values at NZTrio, and we're going to have so much fun on and off stage together.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Matthias' musician journey began at the age of three, and has since taken him around the globe. Completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen, he also holds a prestigious Konzertexamen and Master's degree from the Robert Schumann Hochschule under Pieter Wispelwey in Düsseldorf. A seasoned performer, Matthias has graced stages across Europe, United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa, as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio. His appearances as a soloist include the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Köln, St. Matthew's Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Robert Schumann Hochschule Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. He has also performed at major festivals such as Aspen Music Festival, Classiche Forme, and Edinburgh Fringe. Over the course of his career to date, Matthias has worked with many renowned musicians, including Daniel Müller-Schott, Johannes Moser, and Wolfgang Schmidt, and has collaborated with notable conductors including Guy Noble, Benjamin Northey, and Rüdiger Bohn. He has won numerous prestigious competitions including the Accordi Musicali International Cello Competition, 69th ROSL Annual Music Competition, Sieghardt-Rometsch Concerto Competition, and the New Zealand National Concerto Competition, twice. Matthias performs with a Reiner Beilharz 2014 Cello, accompanied by a Klaus Grünke bow. Matthias says: 'I'm really excited to be joining NZTrio as their new cellist. After several years working as a freelance musician in Germany, the chance to return home to Aotearoa for a role like this feels incredibly special. NZTrio has long been a group I've admired—for their artistry, adventurous spirit, and deep connection to New Zealand's musical landscape. Stepping into this role is both a personal homecoming and a professional milestone. To take it on fully, I'll be unfortunately reducing the number of my commitments in Europe, yet driven to focusing my energy on this next chapter with the Trio.'
South China Morning Post
16-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Exciting duo Magnifique and Horsepower maintain unbeaten records at Sha Tin
David Hall and Frankie Lor Fu-chuen have plenty of reasons to be excited about the future after Magnifique and Horsepower extended their perfect records at Sha Tin on Sunday. Fresh from a strong debut victory down the straight last month, Hall's Magnifique handled the rise to 1,200m with ease under Brenton Avdulla in the first section of the Class Four Daisy Handicap. Lor's Horsepower joined Magnifique with a two-from-two record, returning from a mishap before the start of his scheduled second run in November to score down the 1,000m straight in the Class Three Osmanthus Handicap. Magnifique's unblemished record includes three wins from as many trials and Hall is bullish about the Charm Spirit three-year-old's future in Hong Kong. 'He's still learning his craft, but he's definitely got the potential there,' the veteran handler said after Magnifique cruised to victory by a length and a half. 'Obviously they're all still learning in their second start and he was still a little bit keen mid-race. 'Brenton sat there a little bit longer because he knew was sort of overworking a little bit, but when they came to him he said he was just waiting for them. He found what he had to and he's probably got a little bit more there, I would hope.' After doing some early work to cross from gate 11 and stalk pacesetter Everyone's Gallop, Magnifique surged to the lead despite being kept under a strong hold by Avdulla. When the Australian rider let him loose, Magnifique sprinted powerfully to comfortably account for Lucky Symphony and Dragon Four Seas. Hall is confident Magnifique, who also overcame top weight of 135 pounds on Sunday, will handle the rise to Class Three level on his next start. He was the first leg of a running double for Avdulla, who won the following race on the John Size-trained Magnificent Nine. Avdulla's afternoon was soured when he was suspended for one meeting for careless riding aboard beaten Size-trained favourite Bundle Award in the last race. Horsepower's victory was a reward for the patience of Lor and the owners, headlined by Jockey Club chairman Michael Lee Tze-hau, after he was scratched just moments before a Happy Valley race when he was found to be lame. 'Last time behind the gates, Zac Purton scratched the horse so we needed to find out what's going on,' Lor said. 'The next day we checked the horse, we did the bone scan for him, but we couldn't see anything. Then we went back to work and he started [favouring] his left front a little bit. The vet helped a lot to make sure which part had a problem. 'His fetlock had a little bit of a problem so they just medicated his fetlock and he was sound. In the morning he is too strong, he is really hard to control and he needs to relax more.' Horsepower stormed home from near last to salute on his first Sha Tin start, beating Aurora Patch by three-quarters of a length under Matthew Chadwick. Purton had booted home the son of Harry Angel at the Valley in October.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Avdulla picks up several rides from the injured Purton: ‘I'm busy there'
Magnifique and Spirit Of Peace among strong chances Australian rider gains from champion jockey by Jay Rooney on Thursday, February 13, 2025 4:22 PM Jockey Brenton Avdulla has a strong book of nine rides on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Brenton Avdulla hopes to make the most of several golden opportunities at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the Australian picking up multiple strong rides from the injured Zac Purton. With Purton, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu, Angus Chung Yik-lai and Keith Yeung Ming-lun out of action after last Sunday's falls at Sha Tin, Avdulla and a number of other rides have received increased opportunities for this weekend's 11-race card. Avdulla hops aboard a pair of last-start winners for Purton – impressive debut victor Magnifique and Spirit Of Peace – as well as Classic Series prospect Bundle Award, Beauty Alliance, Magnificent Nine and debutant Laserblanca, who all shaped as likely rides for the seven-time champion jockey. 'I'm busy there,' Avdulla said of his Sunday book of nine rides. 'I've got a few young horses for John Size that Zac's been on. I don't know too much about them, but they look like they've got something. 'It's actually probably not my normal book – it's a book with a few of Zac's rides, so hopefully we can get a winner or two there.' Magnifique tackles the first section of the Class Four Daisy Handicap (1,200m) after a strong victory on debut, scoring by a length down the straight last month. However, Avdulla has been set a task on the David Hall-trained gelding from barrier 11 and under top weight of 135 pounds. Spirit Of Peace, a last-start Happy Valley winner for Size, also has a wide draw in gate nine and top weight of 134 pounds to overcome in the second section of the Class Four Jasmine Handicap (1,400m). Bundle Award is one of Avdulla's rides who has drawn ideally, with the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) entrant jumping from gate one in the Class Three Rose Handicap (1,600m). Size's Australian import broke through at his third Hong Kong start with an impressive 1,400m triumph last month under James McDonald and he needs to win again on Sunday to boost his chances of making the Classic Cup (1,800m) field on March 2. Beauty Alliance was an impressive Sha Tin winner in December and Magnificent Nine is still chasing his first Hong Kong success after six placings from 16 starts. Laserblanca shapes as an intriguing first starter in the second section of the Daisy Handicap, with Size's three-year-old notching a victory and three placings from his four trials with Purton in the saddle. Lo Rider, another Derby aspirant who was hampered by the three-horse fall last Sunday, is another pickup ride for Avdulla in the Class Three Marigold Handicap (1,800m). Hugh Bowman has ridden the Irish import on his past two starts but will pilot Caspar Fownes-trained stablemate, Family Jewel, on Sunday. Avdulla's other ride is The Golden Scenery in the feature of the day, the Class Two Heung Yee Kuk Cup (1,600m). — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 12, 2025 The 34-year-old, who has ridden 20 winners this season, is also excited to continue his association with Rubylot in the Classic Cup next month. The David Hayes-trained gelding was forced back to near last from gate 10 in the Classic Mile and made late ground to run sixth to My Wish on January 31. 'I'm happy riding Rubylot. He ran well the other day and I think with a draw he would have gone close, so hopefully we can draw well over the 1,800m,' Avdulla said. Avdulla guided Rubylot to victory on his previous two rides on the classy son of Rubick.
