Harpist brings Latin American vibes
New Plymouth’s music lovers are soon to be wooed by the enchanting sounds of Latin America by renowned harpist Eduard Klassen.
The musician plays the traditional Paraguayan harp and the final concert of his North Island tour is February 28, 7pm, at the local St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
The harpist’s upbringing was as colourful as his music, and on stage he intersperses telling his life-stories with playing a variety of gospel classics from the America’s and Europe.
The Canadian-based artist of German descent was born and raised in a remote part of Paraguay, where he did not see a paved highway until his midteens. A far cry from now, having played to audiences in over 30 countries.
His passion and intrigue for playing the traditional Latin instrument since 1977 took him from his home in the rainforest to the city of Asuncion for five years of formal training in music.
Eduard’s wife Christine Klassen has played the piano for more than 40 years and will accompany him on the keyboard. For him, sharing the gospel through music was his true-life calling.
New Plymouth’s Colin Sampson and his wife Jean Sampson organised the 2017 tour, as they have done for each of Eduard’s previous NZ tours.
Colin recalled he was mesmerised when he first heard
‘‘It's so easy to be around Eduard and Christine, they're just real people’’
Colin Sampson
the sound of Eduard’s music while watching a video. That and his life-story struck a chord with Colin, prompting him to go to great lengths to get the harpist to visit Kiwi shores.
The two finally met in 2010, Colin said. ’’We have become great friends, Jean and I have even travelled to Canada to spend time with them.
’’It’s so easy to be around Eduard and Christine, they’re just real people. He’s so humble and relaxed but his sense of humour is the one.’’
Before the Sampsons set off across the North Island with the Klassens, Colin set the ball rolling for local rest home residents to also get the opportunity to experience the show after the tour has finished.
‘‘Today I went around to nine retirement homes and extended an invite to a shortened version of his show followed by a morning tea.’’