New guitar arrivals - instore now!

Just landed at Lewis Eady, new guitar treats to take away the on coming winter blues!

Farida Guitars are a rapidly emerging global brand which the British public has been lapping up, making it one of the UK’s fastest growing brands. I’m very impressed by the quality of the build on all of these guitars. They are rivalling the bigger names in the price bracket for sound and overall feel and Lewis Eady is the only place you will find them in NZ, so come in and try for your self.

Farida FST-6

Classic Strat-like shape and pick up configuration with a five way switch, which offers an array of sounds for those that are just getting started and want to find their tone. The neck plays really smoothly and even after throwing down a few dive bombs with the tremolo it still stayed in tune. Did someone say Hendrix?

Farida FE-3

This has a slightly smaller more contoured body than the FST-6, making it lighter and more playable for younger players. The neck feels slightly smaller too. Great entry level model packed with punch and tone and available in the very retro Fiesta Red finish!

The Loar LH-200 FE3 SN

Voted guitar of the year by www.acousticguitarforum.com and I have to say it lives up to its hype. The smaller body size which is modelled on the guitars of the 1930’s really puts out a good racket whether you are using the Fishman Sonitone EQ pick up or not. Featuring a solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, vintage butter bean peg heads, dot inlays and a beautiful abalone (Paua to us Kiwis) headstock inlay design you will gasp at the price tag.

Recording King RD-06-12

Since I picked this one up I haven’t been able to stop playing ‘Turn Turn Turn’ by The Byrds, it sounds soooo good. Boasting a solid Sitka Spruce Top and Mahogany back and sides the full Dreadnaught sound comes barrelling forth in 3D. It’s easy on the eye with its tortoise shell binding as well. Again, not half bad for something that would usually fetch a four figure price.

Francisco Domingo FG-27

If this classical guitar was your hand in poker you would have a full house. It’s all there, Solid Cedar top, Indian Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck, Ebony finger board and bridge, classic Spanish style heel and fetching Pearl tuning pegs. When I tried out my basic skills I found the bass tones to be prominent, rich and textual. 

Blog post by Edward Castelow

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NZIPF 2011 - Pianist David Lively

Breathtaking, incredible and astounding.

David’s recital last night was one of those rare occasions that leave you speechless (which is not so good if you’re trying to write a blog).

This was virtuoso repertoire and playing at its best. The Mendelssohn three caprices gave way to one of my favourite piano works of all time, the Schumann Fantasy Op17. This was a masterful performance exhibiting David’s ‘total control of the piano keyboard’ and musicianship skills.

Just when you thought the music couldn’t get any better, the playing couldn’t get any faster and the Steinway grand piano couldn’t sound more wonderful he was back on stage for a thrilling ride through the Chopin Etudes Op.25 which quite literally had you hanging on for dear life.

A magnificent way to end a wonderful week of recitals.

We’ll be doing it all again next year so sign up to our mailing list on www.nzipf.com for updates on who we will be presenting.

David during warm up prior to his recital.

Artistic Director Tamas Vesmas gives a heartfelt thank you.

John Eady (NZIPF Chairman) with Tamas Vesmas (NZIPF Artistic Director).

Supper Club - David Lively joins patrons, supporters and fans.

NZIPF 2011 - David Lively Masterclass

NZIPF 2011 - David Lively Masterclass, a set on Flickr.

Less than 24 hours of arriving in the country David conducted his Masterclass, held at the Lewis Eady Showroom.

Photos by John Eady

NZIPF 2011 - Pianist Diedre Irons

Friday, 8th April - Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber

It wasn't until I heard the first resounding chords of the C major Sontata that I realised this was the first Beethoven I had heard in the Festival.

Like Tamas Vesmas, Diedre is clearly enjoying her newfound freedom having recently unshackled herself from The New Zealand School of Music. With time on her hands she is now relishing her piano playing once again and we, as the audience, are reaping the benefits.

It was a beautifully balanced programme, impeccably prepared, with something for everyone.

The Chopin Fantasie in F minor is a personal favourite but for me the highlight of the evening was the Ravel - Le Tombeau de Couperin where Diedre at times appeared to levitate above the piano stool in a sublime rendition of the Toccata after which she definitely deserved a glass of wine and a delicious sandwich or two.

Patrons, supporters & fans share a drink with Diedre Irons following the Concert.

AN INDULGENT EVENING TO EMBRACE THE SENSES

The New Zealand International Piano Festival continued on Thursday evening with an exclusive dinner/concert at Mollies Hotel.

This was a new format and a natural variation on the traditional food and wine match. After the entrée patrons were treated to two Chopin Nocturnes performed by concert pianist Diedre Irons which went down very well with the soup and sauvignon blanc.

For the main, I had a beautifully cooked scotch fillet washed down with a cheeky little Pinot Noir after which Diedre once again delighted us with the orchestral version of Ravel’s Suite “Le Tombeau de Couperin”.

The setting was perfect, the food divine and the music mesmerizing. What a fantastic night and I look forward to doing it all over again with David Lively next Thursday (14th April).

If you really want to treat yourself come and join us.
For bookings contact Nicola on 021 938555.

John & Kelley Eady with Diedre Irons

NZIPF 2011 - Stephen de Pledge Recital

Stephen de Pledge Recital Wednesday the 6^th of April – New Zealand International Piano Festival. Once again the bar was raised and the accolades flowed following Stephen de Pledge’s recital last night. This was most definitely a performance of two halves with the Chopin and Brahms highlighting Stephen’s trademark sensitivity and musicianship in the first half followed by the NZ Landscape Preludes in the second.

Whilst the prospect of contemporary music (even worse NZ composed music) may have been off putting for some; these are a set of works which are destined for greatness in the New Zealand music scene. Having only heard four of the preludes prior, I was amazed at how well these pieces by twelve separate composers worked together. Stephen has experimented with the order for some time to develop a flow which enables the audience as (as well as the performer) to better access the music.

Personal favourites for me would have to be the John Psathas and Victoria Kelly pieces but I loved them all and am looking forward to Stephen’s recording later in the year.

NZIPF 2011 - Pianist Hoang Pham

The second recital in the New Zealand International Piano Festival on Tuesday the 5^th of April was given by Vietnamese born Hoang Pham in his first visit to New Zealand. The first half provided for a spell binding performance of the 24 Chopin Preludes. Rarely are these short pieces heard in their entirety and whilst many are well known it was refreshing to hear the complete set.

The Schubert Drei Klavierstuck in the second half was followed by a monumental performance of a magnificent yet little known Liszt work - Variations on a Theme by Bach S180. In undeniable Liszt fashion, Hoang demonstrated his formidable technique and masterly control of the keyboard.

At only 26 we look forward to seeing and hearing much more of this exciting young performer.

NZIPF 2011 OPENING NIGHT WITH TAMAS VESMAS

Tamas Vesmas received a warm welcome from the Auckland public for his return to the stage at the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Monday night. Tamas' recital opened the inaugural New Zealand International Piano Festival.

Tamas presented a wonderful programme of Schubert in the first half followed by the 1st book of Debussy Preludes in the second. The later were accompanied by projected images of artworks by artist Shinya Yu, which were inspired by the Preludes.

LIVE FROM THE LEWIS EADY SHOWROOM

STANDING BY…

Monday mornings TV ONE Breakfast, coming to you live from the Lewis Eady showroom with weatherman Tamati.

Twenty-six Suzuki students on eighteen pianos. View it on line...

A big thank you to Elizabeth Lau and her students (not forgetting the parents too).