The Dolmen Ensemble will play two concerts in the South to raise money for charity. Rebecca Fox talks to its New Zealand cellist Edward King.
It may have begun as ''mine is bigger than yours'', but Edward King's cello has become his career.
The Auckland-raised musician is based in Berlin but remembers a time when he was out to beat his sister.
''Initially, it was my competitive instinct. My older sister had just begun to play the violin, and it was important to me, at the age of 3, that my instrument would be bigger than hers.''
While he continued to study cello throughout his school years, it took a while for him to decide to make it his career.
''I actually didn't really commit to a career in music until relatively late - around 17 - after I'd finished the first year of my undergraduate degree.''
He had never looked back, graduating from the University of Waikato, and in Germany from the Leopold Mozart Centre (Augsburg), and the University of the Arts in Berlin, where he studied under James Tennant, Julius Berger, and Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt respectively.
Laureate of the Witold Lutoslawski International Cello Competition and the Markneukirchen International Competition, King has also won a special prize at the International Penderecki Cello Competition for his interpretation of Penderecki's Divertimento, a prize presented personally by the renowned composer.
King has spent the past five years in Germany, including the past three years in Berlin, where he has just finished his studies with renowned cellists Berger and Schmidt.
''But of course Europe has such a strong sense of culture, and it's an inspiring place to live and work.
''Berlin is a real classical music Mecca. Many of the world's best musicians are based there - not to mention around seven full-time orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic.''
It is not only the learning opportunities provided in Germany but the chance to see some great musicians at work as well, he said.
''Seeing Yo Yo Ma play all six Bach suites in one concert was pretty incredible. Or Martha Argerich playing Schumann's concerto with the Berlin Philhamonic. Or Baremboim playing Schubert sonatas. There are so many concerts in Berlin and there have been too many amazing ones to pick.''
King himself likes to play a range of music but especially enjoys chamber music and ''big symphonic works''.
''Though as a cellist, of course Bach's solo cello suites are the most special to me.''
He plays on a cello of the Vuillaume school, on generous loan from the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben.
While regularly visiting New Zealand to play with a variety of groups, on this visit he has been brought out by the Royal Overseas League (ROSL) alongside Som Howie on clarinet and Carson Becke on piano.
''Actually, I seem to be back around four times a year. It's always great to come and play to a home crowd - especially on tours like these, where I get to introduce other internationally-based musicians to New Zealand audiences.''
King is a winner of ROSL's annual music competition (2009) and a recipient of the Pettman/ROSL Arts International Scholarship. The Dolmen Ensemble will perform and judge that competition while in New Zealand.
''Since then, the ROSL have been very supportive of my career, and they've invited me to play throughout the UK, in Australia, Malta and now New Zealand.''
Once back in Berlin, he will pack his bags and leave for Sydney and a position next year as associate principal cellist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, based in the Sydney Opera House.
''They're a really exceptional orchestra, based in the Sydney Opera House, so it's a very attractive job offer.
''It will also be nice to be a little closer to family at home, and hopefully it will mean I spend less time travelling between here and Europe.''
To see
The Dolmen Ensemble, November 29, Rippon Hall, Wanaka, 7pm in aid of The Otago Kiwi Recovery Trust and December 1, Queenstown Memorial Hall 7.30pm in aid of the Cancer Society.
