Ākarana Piano Quartet

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Quartet No.1 in G minor, KV478
Frank Bridge Phantasy for Piano Quartet in F sharp minor, H.94
—interval—
Janet Jennings Twelve Colours: Homage to Paul Klee
Antonín Dvořák Piano Quartet No.2 in E flat major, Op.87


Debuting for the first time in 2023, the Akarana Piano Quartet has been formed by award-winning musicians Andrew Beer, violin, and Sarah Watkins, piano (Best Classical Artist 2020, NZ Music Awards), joined by two outstanding colleagues from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra—principal violist Robert Ashworth and sub-principal cellist Chen Cao.

The quartet are described as providing a ‘rich, vibrant storytelling, connecting the key figures of European music with Aotearoa New Zealand’ (CMNZ).

This ensemble encompasses four distinct solo voices coming together as one in an intense, exhilarating concert to lift the spirits. Award-winning musicians Andrew Beer, violin and Sarah Watkins, piano, have formed Ākarana Piano Quartet for debut performances in 2023. They are joined by two outstanding colleagues from Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra – principal violist Robert Ashworth, and sub-principal cellist Chen Cao.