Trio of dynamic extroverts taking over X Space

The Ghost Trio are performing at X Space, Baycourt this afternoon from 4pm - 5.30pm. Photo: Andrew Epsom

For those who like a little violin, cello and piano to round out their Sunday, the Ghost Trio will be performing some classical ‘classics' at Baycourt this afternoon.

Cleverly named for Beethoven's famous work for piano trio, Ghost Trio is made up of Monique Lapins on violin, Ken Ichinose on cello, and Gabriela Glapska on piano.

The group was founded in mid-2019 as one of Gabriela's PhD recital projects.

Today's musical programme by the trio includes Haydn's ‘Piano Trio in G major', Hob. XV:41, Josiah Carr's ‘Time and glue', Fauré's ‘Piano Trio in D minor', Op 120, and Dvořák's ‘Piano Trio No 3 in F minor', Op 65.

Gabriela, Monique and Ken as the Ghost Piano Trio have quickly gained a reputation as one of the most refreshing and enjoyable chamber groups in New Zealand. Their performances have been hailed as 'extroverted...full of the bold dynamic contrasts and drama' by Elizabeth Kerr - Five Lines.

Pianist Gabriela Glapska. Photo: Andrew Epsom.

Gabriela Glapska is a Polish-born pianist currently living and working in Wellington, New Zealand. She received her Master's Degree with Distinction in Poland studying under the tutelage of Professor Ewa Pobłocka and completed her PhD degree in music (piano class of Dr Jian Liu) with the major performance component from Victoria University of Wellington in 2020.

Gabriela is currently a rehearsal pianist for the Royal New Zealand Ballet and is also an active soloist and chamber musician with a strong interest in contemporary music. She has been the resident pianist for the annual Nelson Composers Workshops since 2017 and a pianist for the 44th International Viola Congress in 2017 held in Wellington.

Gabriela collaborates with many award-winning composers on solo and ensemble projects, Wellington-based contemporary music ensemble STROMA, New Zealand Opera (6:24 Voices of Aotearoa) and soprano Barbara Paterson. Gabriela is a founding member of Ghost Piano Trio and a member of TrioNique and has been touring with both ensembles extensively across New Zealand.

Cellist Ken Ichinose. Photo: Andrew Epsom.

London-born cellist Ken Ichinose was appointed Associate Principal Cello of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 2014 whilst also pursuing a busy chamber music career within New Zealand.

He is the cellist in the Ghost Piano Trio and has performed with the Kiwa Quartet, New Zealand String Quartet, Amici Ensemble, and the contemporary music group Stroma.

In addition to this locally based work, Ken helped establish the Glenn Douglas Winter Chamber Music Festival in Florida, which he returns to play in every January.

Prior to his move to New Zealand, Ken was a co-founding member of the Galitzin Quartet who actively performed for ten years, completing major tours in the UK, Germany, France, Portugal and Holland. They were first prize winners of the 2007 Charles Hennen Competition in the Netherlands and received extensive tuition from the Vermeer, Jerusalem, and Ysaÿe Quartets. Also during this time, Ken worked and toured extensively with the Philharmonia, Orchestra of The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and the Academy of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields.

Violinist Monique Lapins. Photo: Andrew Epsom.

Monique Lapins is the violinist of the Ghost trio, member of the New Zealand String Quartet and Lecturer at New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī, Victoria University of Wellington.

She enjoys diverse collaborations as a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral player and has toured extensively both nationally and internationally.

Monique is a recording artist with Naxos and Rattle Labels and performs on a 1784 Lorenzo Storioni violin kindly loaned by David Duncan Craig on behalf of the Lily Duncan Trust.

Presented by Tauranga Musica and in association with Chamber Music New Zealand, the Ghost Trio are performing today, Sunday October 3 at X Space, Baycourt from 4pm – 5.30pm. For more information click here

Please note: Alert level 2 restrictions will apply to Sunday's concert.

The Ghost Trio will also be performing at the Harvest Church in Rotorua on Monday, October 4.

Programme:

Joseph HAYDN | Piano Trio in G major, Hob. XV:41
Josiah CARR | time and glue
Gabriel FAURÉ | Piano Trio in D minor, Op 120
—interval—
Antonín DVOŘÁK | Piano Trio No 3 in F minor, Op 65

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