A full programme of Bach is a rare treat for lovers of baroque music and they will be treated to James Tibbles at the harpsichord to bring this to life. NZ Barok will be performing Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, alongside Sally Tibbles on baroque flute, Concerto in D minor for harpsichord, Suite for strings in D Major, and Arias for Strings from the Passions.
NZ Barok is the only period instrument orchestra in New Zealand and is comprised of some of the leading baroque specialists from around the country. They play in the style of the period and use instruments that are authentic to the era of music they are performing. These instruments are from all around the world yet are maintained by specialists here in New Zealand. Ponsonby local, Paul Downie, made and cares for the harpsichord James Tibbles performs on.
Some of the pieces NZ Barok perform are well known, but they also strive to breathe new life and vitality into lesser-known pieces from the 18th Century. Founded in 2004 by Helen Brinkman and Graham McPhail, NZ Barok was joined in 2010 by Miranda Hutton as co-artistic director. Graham McPhail returned from studies in Holland in the 1980s and has since remained at the forefront of historical performance in New Zealand.
Helen Brinkman completed her postgraduate studies in the Hague, Netherlands, and these connections to Holland are where the name ‘NZ Barok’ came from. Miranda Hutton is a baroque violinist, having spent time in Europe studying and performing. She has recorded multiple times with the New Dutch Academy, and, like Graham, has involvements in numerous other groups, projects and ensembles in New Zealand and Australia, like Pipers Sinfonia and the NZ Opera.
James Tibbles is a leading player of the historic keyboard. He has an active international performing and recording career, having just released a record on the Paladino music label of J.S. Bach sonatas for viola de gamba and harpsichord. It was recorded in Australia last year with Laura Vaughan and supplements his work as Coordinator of Early Music studies at the University of Auckland. He teaches historic keyboards, making for a formidable early music duo with his wife Sally who plays baroque flute, and teaches at St Cuthberts. Sally also studied in The Hague, confirming its relationship to Auckland’s Early Music scene.
Further into the year, NZ Barok will perform ‘Baby Baroque’, a free concert for kids. This will be in the middle of July, in Remuera and Takapuna, and kids will have the rare opportunity to join in and interact with baroque music in a unique way.
(Finn McLennan-Elliott)
NZ Barok performs on Saturday 5 May in the evening and Sunday 6 May in the afternoon at St Luke’s Church.
You can head to www.nzbarok.org.nz to find out more.