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"I LOVE Mulled Wine Concerts as they are so intimate.
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With gratitude, Helen"

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Michael Endres

Michael Endres

Kāpiti classical music enthusiasts have been giving a warm reception to the Mulled Wine Concert series presented by Mary Gow which is now in its fifteenth year of operation. During 2022, the series covered six concerts ranging from formal piano recitals through harp and violin duos to a full-on big-band jazz session. With support from local arts organisations and commercial sponsors, Gow – a concert pianist herself – is intent on building upon her success last year to present a further series of concerts during 2023.

The highly regarded German pianist Michael Endres – a favourite, who has performed in Kāpiti on several occasions - will return to give a Mulled Wine Concert recital in Paekākāriki's seafront Memorial Hall on Sunday 2 April at 2:30 PM. International critics have described Endres as "one of the most interesting pianists recording today". 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 programme will include Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata", a selection from Schubert's "Impromptus" (Op.142), Chopin's "Barcarolle" and music from the great American composer, George Gershwin. The program has a unifying element: "Impromptu" and "Sonata quasi una Fantasia" are connected ideas: both "Impromptu" and Beethoven's new title of a "Sonata quasi una Fantasia" (a sonata like a Fantasy) are focussed on the surprising, improvisatory element. Chopin fits well into this as he never played any piece twice in the same way (an idea that has been slightly lost in today's more homogenous and standardised interpretations ) .

Mulled Wine Concerts organiser Mary Gow says, " We are very excited to be presenting a series of new concerts in Kāpiti this year. As before, our objective is to present the best music while keeping admission prices at an affordable level. The Memorial Hall on the Parade in Paekākāriki has excellent acoustics, easy parking and a wonderful outlook. What a pleasure it will be to hear exquisite music in such a pleasant setting!"



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