For this programme we are joined by four wonderful guest artists - Nick Walshe (clarinet), Justin Sun (bassoon), Alexander Hambleton (horn) and Oleksandr Gunchenko (double bass) - to present a programme enlivened by the varied timbres of wind instruments.

Beginning with the Mozart String Quartet in B-flat K589 we move on to 'Serenata in vano' for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Cello & Double Bass by Danish composer Carl Nielsen. This characterful work depicts a short and unsuccessful attempt at seduction. We finish with Schubert's mighty and virtuosic Octet, a work filled with jaunty dances, singable melodies and heart-rending moments.

Aroha String Quartet:
Haihong Liu & Konstanze Artmann - violins
Zhongxian Jin - viola
Robert Ibell - cello
Acclaimed as demonstrating "accomplished brilliance, soulfulness and sublime intensity in perfect balance and tonal unity" (The Dominion Post), the Aroha String Quartet is firmly established as one of New Zealand's finest chamber music ensembles. Founded in 2004, this versatile Wellington-based quartet is known for its passionate musicality, impressive technique, and multicultural innovation.

Nick Walshe - clarinet
Nick Walshe is a clarinettist, music teacher and arts administrator based in Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington. He is currently section principal clarinet with Orchestra Wellington, and co-principal clarinet with the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and also maintains a busy studio of clarinet and saxophone students, privately and in high schools.Nick works as a freelance musician for organisations such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Stroma New Music Ensemble, and the Capital Theatre Trust.

Justin Sun - bassoon
Justin was born and raised in Canberra, Australia, and began playing the bassoon at age 12. After completing his studies in 2018, he was appointed Principal Bassoon of the Aarhus Symphony Orchestra in Denmark, where he worked for 3 years before being appointed Associate Principal Bassoon of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2021. He has performed as guest principal with many orchestras worldwide, including Sydney Symphony, Australian Opera and Ballet, Scottish Chamber, Royal Philharmonic and BBC Symphony.

Alexander Hambleton - horn
Before joining the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Alex studied and worked in the UK and Sweden.
Alex spent eight years as a member of the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra, in addition to touring and recording with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.

Oleksandr Gunchenko - double bass
Oleksandr was born in Kiev, Ukraine, where he studied at Lysenko School of Music and Tchaikovsky Conservatory. He became a member of the National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra at the age of 19 and at the age of 20 gained a position with the National Chamber Orchestra of Ukraine. Oleksandr joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2007. He is a member of the contemporary ensemble Stroma, and also regularly performs solo recitals.