Tauranga Musica closed its 2016 season to a large and appreciative audience with a stunning concert from Marimba and Percussion Duo Yoshiko Tsuruta and Jeremy Fitzsimons at Tauranga Park Auditorium on Sunday afternoon.

The two musicians kept the audience spellbound with their superb programme.

The concert opened with 'Dialogue” by New Zealander Gareth Farr, commissioned by Jeremy Fitzsimons in 2004 with funding from Chamber Music NZ. The Introduction delighted with shimmering cascades of sound perfectly illustrating the ability of the two instruments to blend into one.

We were then gently eased into jazz with David Friedman's 'Lunch with Pancho Villa” (arr. Fitzsimons). Here was masterful playing, superbly balanced with relaxed and seemingly effortless ease.

The first half concluded with 'Tango Suite” by Piazzolla, the second movement containing the softest of pianissimos, totally captivating the audience.

The second half began with 'Wooden Music” by O'Meara, who is best known for his marimba compositions. This was written in the early 1980s when marimbas had a smaller range and used only the top four octaves of the modern marimba.

From here we heard delightful and familiar 'Three Tangos” by Gardel, 'Desde El Alma” by Melo and 'El Choclo” by Villoldo.

The concert culminated in 'Marimba Spiritual” by Miki, written with a strong feeling for the starvation in Africa. This moving piece started with a marimba solo from Yoshiko showcasing her outstanding musical ability and finesse with mesmerising dancelike movements. Part way into the piece she was joined by Jeremy masterfully taking on the role of three percussionists. This piece finished the programme perfectly, showing the absolute togetherness and communication of the Duo present throughout the programme.

The audience were brought gently back to earth with an encore featuring a magical arrangement of Bach's Chorale BWV 306.

Well done Tauranga Musica for bringing such top quality performances to Tauranga. We look forward to your 2017 season.