Ānō he ahi tawa is a trombone quartet formed in 2022, made up of Matthew Allison, Leo Read, Natania Ngawhau and Shannon Pittaway.
Matthew and Shannon are members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and serve respectively as Artist Teacher and head of Brass and Winds at the New Zealand School of
Music. Leo is undertaking a Master of Fine Arts as part of an internship with NZSO under Principal Trombone, David Bremner. Natania recently finished her Honours degree at the New Zealand School of Music and will begin a Master of Music at the Manhattan School of Music in September, studying with Colin Williams Associate Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic.
The quartet’s name comes from a kiwaha “Ā nō he ahi tawa” which translates to mean “what a rowdy noisy lot” in English. A more in-depth analysis of the name comes form the words “Ahi”
and Tawa. Ahi being fire and Tawa being a type of native tree that produces a berry which is a staple in the diet of the Kererū . The kernel of the berry has also been a traditional food source
for Mā ori and makes a very loud crackling and snapping sound when it is burned. The tawa berry kernel is used in Mā ori proverbs to symbolise strength and heroism. The phrase has also
been used to describe noisy children and now so have trombone quartets, particularly this one!
This lunchtime concert program will feature a selection of works by some of the great composers, including Bruckner, Dvořák, and Bach, alongside other carefully chosen pieces that showcase the versatility and organ-like voice of the trombone quartet.
You may also like the following events from Wellington Cathedral of St Paul:
- This Friday, 18th July, 02:45 am, TGIF: Jia Ling (Guzheng) and Pei-Ying Pan (Piano) in Wellington
- Next Friday, 25th July, 02:45 am, TGIF: The Choir of St Bartholomew's, Poway CA (USA) in Wellington
- Next Saturday, 26th July, 09:00 am, The Choirs of St Bartholomew's, Poway CA (USA) and Wellington Cathedral of St Paul in Wellington
Also check out other
Arts events in Wellington,
Music events in Wellington,
Entertainment events in Wellington.
