Duo Enharmonics

Wanaka Concert Society presents the four-hands piano sensation Duo Enharmonics in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand. Nicole Chao and Beth Chen bring their exhilarating piano duet programme.

Combining dazzling virtuosity and romantic lyricism, Duo Enharmonics will deliver its unique musical experience to six centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. From 2 through 16 October, the engaging pair will share their expressive sense of musicianship through some cornerstone works. Mozart’s showy Sonata in D major K 381, originally performed by nine-year-old Wolfgang with his sister Nannerl, remains as fresh today as it was in 1772. Mendelssohn’s Andante & Allegro Brillante duet was written for his friend Clara Schumann will also highlight Nicole and Beth’s technical mastery. Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, a highly percussive piece, also suits the dynamic duo to a tee.
Duo Enharmonics’ programme is also complemented by rhythmic contemporary pieces such as John Psathas’ Motet, Turkish composer Fazil Say’s Night, and Hanna Kulenty’s VAN.
Both revered as mature, assured performers, Nicole and Beth bring elegance and power to the piano duet repertoire.

New Zealand Taiwanese Nicole Chao completed her Master of Music in Piano Performance with distinction at the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī with Thomas Hecht. Nicole is the laureate of numerous distinctions, including the North Queensland Piano and Instrumental Concerto Competition Australia; Kāpiti Coast National Piano Competition; National Chamber Music Competition of the International Chamber Music School and Festival Canterbury; Westpac Trust National Chamber Music Contest; Victoria University of Wellington Graduate Awards; and the prestigious Baines Trust Scholarship. She regularly performs as a soloist and chamber musician to critical acclaim.

Beth Chen is a Taiwan-born New Zealand pianist with a performing career spanning from Aotearoa to Europe. In addition to solo competition prizes, she has been the recipient of several awards, including the National Concerto Competition New Zealand and North Queensland Concerto Competition Australia. She has appeared as a soloist with the New Zealand School of Music Orchestra, Wellington Chamber Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Neues Telemann Kammerorchester. Beth's studies took her from Wellington to Europe where she performed extensively while based in Germany and London. She returned to Wellington in 2017 where she formed Duo Enharmonics with fellow pianist Nicole Chao.

New Zealand Taiwanese Nicole Chao completed her Master of Music in Piano Performance with distinction at the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī with Thomas Hecht. Nicole is the laureate of numerous distinctions, including the North Queensland Piano and Instrumental Concerto Competition Australia; Kāpiti Coast National Piano Competition; National Chamber Music Competition of the International Chamber Music School and Festival Canterbury; Westpac Trust National Chamber Music Contest; Victoria University of Wellington Graduate Awards; and the prestigious Baines Trust Scholarship. She regularly performs as a soloist and chamber musician to critical acclaim.