Ensembles with scenery

A Southern Alps music festival branches out globally.

- Classical by RICHARD BETTS

Benjamin Baker and I have a beef. I first tried to interview the violinist in 2011. At the time, he was a student at the Royal College of Music and about to compete in the final of the Andrea Postacchini international violin competition in Italy. His agent wouldn't put me in touch; he came second. Draw your own conclusions.

More recently, he stood me up for a Zoom date. So Baker, what do you have to say for yourself?

"I'm so sorry about yesterday," the London-based Kiwi says when we finally make contact, clearly trying to charm his way out of it. "I'm just on the uptick from Covid." A likely story.