MICHAEL ENDRES

TOP EUROPEAN CONCERT PIANIST IN PAEKAKARIKI

Kapiti classical music enthusiasts have been giving a warm reception to the Mulled Wine Concert series presented by Mary Gow. The series - which is now in its 16th year - has presented a wide range of music ranging from formal classical piano recitals through string quartets, harp and violin duos, singers and guitarists to full-on jazz sessions. With support from local arts organisations, Gow – a concert pianist herself – is intent on building upon her success to present a further series of concerts in Kapiti during 2025.

The highly regarded German pianist Michael Endres will return to give a Mulled Wine Concert in Paekakariki's St Peter's Hall on Sunday 25 May at 2:30 PM. International critics have described Endres as "one of the most interesting pianists recording today". He has released 35 CDs during his career and his extensive prizewinning discography includes the prestigious Diapason d’Or (France) which he was recently awarded for the third time and the Choc du Musique which he has won twice. He has appeared at major festivals and concert-halls all over the world. A prominent academic musician, Endres had a distinguished teaching career in Germany, Norway and New Zealand before he decided to concentrate on performance and recording.

His reviews from music publications have been outstanding: Diapason magazine said of his 2018 release “Splendidly recorded by Cologne Radio, in an acoustic which allows the piano to resonate with a fullness, a brilliance without hardness, and a breadth of sonority which is ideal for Schubert, these works chosen by Michael Endres flow endlessly between jubilation and drama.”

His Kapiti programme will be a feast of "song inspired piano music" including the Schubert A major sonata D959. Endres notes that Schubert’s works are influenced by his 600 songs and the late A major sonata is no exception to his singing style of writing. Other song-influenced compositions on the programme come from Schumann, Liszt, Tschaikowsky and arrangements of well-known songs by George Gershwin.

Mulled Wine Concerts organiser Mary Gow says, " Following the huge success of our opening concert this year, we are very excited to be continuing our presentation of new Kapiti concerts. As before, our objective is to present the best music while keeping admission prices at an affordable level. The wonderful St Peter's Hall has excellent acoustics. What a pleasure it will be to hear exquisite music in such a pleasant setting!"