Poneke Trio

The Poneke Trio is an exciting new group consisting of well-known chamber musicians, whose highly praised concert in March 2011 was described as “music-making of a high order” (Middle-c.org). Richard Mapp, until recently Senior Lecturer in Piano at the New Zealand School of Music, is well-known to chamber music audiences. Violinist Anna van der Zee has recently returned to New Zealand to join the NZSO, after studying with the Takács Quartet and performing with major orchestras in Europe. After studying at the Royal College of Music, cellist Paul Mitchell held principal positions with Spanish orchestras; he is now Sub-principal Cello with the Wellington Vector Orchestra.

Dvořák’s best-known trio, the Dumky, begins the programme. Originally conceived as a Ukrainian lament, the work is full of colourful folk tunes. Folk music also influenced Hungarian composer Kodály in his Duo for Violin and Cello. Shostakovich’s deeply felt masterpiece, the Piano Trio No 2 Opus 67, contains elements of Jewish folk music and was written in secret tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

Upcoming Concerts