Nevine String Quartet
Nevine String Quartet
Since we started working together we've had coaching from some prominent New Zealand musicians: NZSO Concertmaster Wilma Smith, NZSO Principal Cellist David Chickering, and members of the New Zealand String Quartet. We record our concerts and video tape ourselves performing in the desire to improve what we do.
Although we all now live in Wellington, New Zealand. We grew up in different places and have different backgrounds; it makes for an interesting mix of talents and personalities.
Janet Armstrong - violin
Janet was born in Zimbabwe where she began violin and piano lessons at the
age of seven. In 1984 she won a scholarship to the Royal Northern College
of Music in Manchester, UK, where she studied with Christopher Rowland
(leader of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet) and Benedict Holland.
After graduating in 1988, Janet freelanced with many major orchestras such
as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Opera North and the Scottish Chamber
Orchestra, before taking up her current position of assistant sub-principal
second violin in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1991
Janet plays on a fiddle by Derazay.
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Liz Patchett - violin
Liz started tuition on the violin at the age of five and until university
enjoyed the wide variety of musical activities the scenic Waikato had to
offer.
On completion of her Bachelor of Music at Auckland University in 1988 Liz
joined the Auckland Philharmonia, holding the position of sub-principal
second violin for her last three years there.
Liz joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1994, and in 1997 received
a Montana Study Award which enabled her to spend four months studying with
Maciej Rakowski in London. Liz teaches violin and is a member of the New
Zealand Chamber Orchestra.
Liz's violin is an old german instrument, reconditioned by Noel Sweetman, of Hamilton,
New Zealand.
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Peter Barber - viola
Peter Barber is assistant sub-principal violist in the New Zealand Symphony
Orchestra and a viola tutor at the Victoria University School of Music.
He was a member of the NZSO Schola Musica, studying with NZSO principal
violist Vyvyan Yendoll. He is also a graduate of the Cologne Music
Academy, where his course of study included tuition from professor of
viola, Rainer Moog and members of the Amadeus String Quartet.
Other influences on his playing style have been Zillah Castle, Gavin
Saunders, Csaba Erdelyi and Attila Balog.
Peter has been a member of the
New Zealand Chamber Orchestra and has played in the New Zealand String
Quartet and the New Zealand Soloists. He is also a Concert FM recording
artist and works regularly with his sister concert accompanist Mary Barber.
Peter chooses between a viola made in the early '70's by Otto Erdesz, and a 1940 viola by Arthur Richardson; currently the Richardson is the favourite.
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Robert Ibell - cello
Robert Ibell was born in Dannevirke and brought up in Palmerston North.
While training there as a school teacher he learned cello from Judith Hyatt
in Wellington.
From 1986 to 1992 Robert lived in London, studying cello with Tanya
Prochazka, Derek Simpson and Christopher Bunting. He played at music
schools and in masterclasses (where his teachers included Alexander
Baillie, Steve Doane, Anner Bylsma and Steven Isserlis), taught, gave
recitals and played in professional and amateur orchestras.
Since 1993 he has been a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He
is a regular chamber music performer in a variety of ensembles including contemporary
music group "Stroma".
Robert has a couple of celli which he plays alternately. One by Francois Breton,
and another by New Zealander Anthony Elmsly
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>To hear us: some sound files.
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