Music composed for harp, violin and cello is extraordinary and beautiful – the plucked harp strings are vibrant and brilliant, whilst the bowed violin and cello strings are sustained and sonorous.
Named after the magnificent carved palm on Helen’s harp with its golden huia bird on the soundboard, Nikau Harp Trio bring to life the glittering magical world of harp with strings. Friday 10 February at 7.30 pm at St Matthew’s College, Masterton and Sunday 12 February 2.30 pm at St Peter’s Hall in Paekākāriki.
Nikau’s program opens with joyful Baroque trio by George Frideric Handel, to the world of French romance by the little known woman composer and harpist Henriette Renié, followed by her compatriot Jaques Ibert and his sparkling witty Trio, written in 1943.
Pop your effervescent drink of choice for the second half, and enjoy Mozart’s Blue Rondo, Fandangos & Swing by Cole Porter, Gershwin et al, the hypnotic haze of Irons’ Dreamland, Nikau’s own arrangement of Debussy’s timeless Clair de Lune, to arrive at pulsating Tango of Piazzolla’s Argentina. Dancers welcome!
With nature featuring strongly in this ensemble’s ethos, the trio are delighted to include Korimako Bells, written for them by NZ film composer Mark Smythe, inspired by the call of the Bellbird. The trio also are passionate about the Abel Tasman’s Birdsong Trust, which aims to return the sound of native birdcalls to the forests and beaches of this national park.
Nikau is a trio of outstanding musicians – Helen Webby, Cathy Irons and Paul Mitchell; with extensive NZ and international experience. Webby and Irons successfully toured South Island as a duo in 2021 with many requests to return, and are delighted to invite Mitchell to join them on tour this year, to create Nikau Harp Trio.
Helen Webby’s harp was made by her brother Kim Webby. Now he makes professional full size concert harps, and recently finished a commissioned harp for the NZSO.
Helen Webby (harp) Principal Harp with Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, studied harp in Auckland. She teaches harp players of all ages in Christchurch and Dunedin and plays solo and chamber music.
Cathy Irons (violin) performs regularly in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO), including roles such as acting assistant concertmaster. She tours concerts regularly throughout NZ and further afield, in Australia and South Africa.
Paul Mitchell studied cello at The University of Auckland and plays as principal cello in Bach Musica NZ and the Auckland Chamber Orchestra.
