VOLUME 36 / NUMBER 01 / MARCH 2018
“Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers transposed from the dance floor to the keyboard.” — The Southampton Press
DYNAMIC / FUSION / CHART-TOPPING / ENERGY Anderson & Roe are set to take Aotearoa by storm this March, with a double festival appearance both at NZ Festival and Auckland Arts Festival. After meeting as freshmen at The Juilliard School, the two clicked immediately and, just like that, Anderson & Roe Piano Duo was officially born. 18 years, 5 albums and countless concerts later, the duo are stronger than ever. Photo: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
Known for their adrenalized performances, original compositions, and notorious music videos, it’s safe to say that Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe are revolutionising the piano duo experience for the 21st century, steadily chipping away classical music stereotypes and expectations. Self described as “Two classical pianists that perform with lots of adrenaline and a heavy dose
of sexual energy. It’s wild but still within a classical framework,” you can expect to leave the concert hall with a memorable concert experience. They will bring two programmes to NZ, featuring both the power of two pianos and the intimacy of four hands on one piano. Much of the repertoire will undergo the “Anderson & Roe treatment” with ad hoc rearrangements: “a piece of music is Continued on page 2
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WWW.CHAMBERMUSIC.CO.NZ
The first months of CMNZ’s 2018 season covers an extraordinary range. The Behn Quartet are strong representatives of our traditional offering – the classical chamber ensembles that we have been presenting since 1950. (We are proud that this up-andcoming ensemble has a talented young New Zealander, Kate Oswin, as their first violinist.) But the year begins with an outlandishly brilliant piano duo from New York. Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe bring a youthful freshness. Their performances have a theatrical quality that projects the character of the music. This is witty and illuminating. And the pianism itself is exhilarating.
Phantasm, arguably the greatest viol consort in the world, will open up a musical world that is richly expressive, sophisticated, noble. (King Charles I took lessons from the leading viol player in his court.) The tour that follows Phantasm will be another voyage of discovery – but from the age of the Atlantis space shuttle rather than Sir Walter Raleigh’s Ark Royal. Alex Ross’s best-selling commentary on 20th century music, The Rest is Noise, was described by the Guardian reviewer as a “sounddrenched masterpiece”. Who better to animate a play-list of seminal moments from the music of the modern era? Alex Ross will be partnered by our own Bianca Andrew and STROMA – an ensemble that has demonstrated a sustained commitment to high-quality performances of contemporary repertoire.
A Classical Quartet, a top-flight Viol Consort, a vivacious Piano Duo playing everything from Mozart to The Beatles, and STROMA with the man who got thousands reading about avant garde composition: high-quality, varied, entertaining and absorbing - that sounds like a Festival, doesn’t it? The whole (and there are more brilliant tours later in the year) is greater than the sum of the parts. If you haven’t already done so, I urge you to take advantage of CMNZ’s great subscription deals.
Peter Walls Chief Executive Music Up Close | Puoro Taupiri Chamber Music New Zealand
Photos: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
Anderson & Roe continued... worth re-imagining if we can put a different or enlightening spin on it; infuse it with our personality and with the unique interactivity of two pianos often with a single keyboard. There’s a lot of narrative and choreographic potential with that configuration.” Emmy nominated for their daring music videos, praised for their stage
presence and with a huge following around the globe, Anderson & Roe are most of all outstanding piano players, guided by one mission: to make classical music a relevant force of today. Music can indeed be a powerful means of communication, and this duo sure knows how to make this happen.
“[Anderson & Roe] swept the audience into a cheering mass of humanity, making a strong case that playing piano is the most fun thing that two people could ever do together” – (Northwest Reverb).
ANDERSON & ROE PIANO DUO TOURING: 10 – 23 March chambermusic.co.nz/anderson&roe
Photo: Jamie Drew
Q&A WITH KATE OSWIN FROM THE BEHN QUARTET Christchurch born violinist Kate Oswin is coming back to NZ this April, with the Behn Quartet.
Quite simply, the Phantasm Consort is the very best viol ensemble in the world today. Performing a programme of early music delicacies, they offer a rare and unforgettable experience.
How did you come to start playing the violin?
We all met doing our Masters at the Royal Academy. At the Academy there is an intensive string quartet programme which we auditioned for when we first got together just over two years ago, and things moved very quickly from there! How did you choose you repertoire for this tour? I first met [NZ composer] Jack Body when I was at high school - he came in one day and I had an individual composition lesson with him on a piece I had written for full orchestra. I remember feeling quite in awe of him! His ‘Three Transcriptions’ was actually the first work we selected for our tour - I was researching NZ
BEHN QUARTET 14 April – 1 May
PHANTASM 30 April – 6 May
We caught up with Kate to talk repertoire, violin and their NZ hit list.
How did you meet the other members of your quartet?
Exploding genre boundaries, Anderson and Roe are as much at home with Mozart as they are with Daft Punk.
Energetic, revelatory and inspiring, Behn are ‘the’ new voices of the string quartet. Enjoy toe-tapping favourites and much loved repertoire from Dvořák, Jack Body, and Ravel.
The UK based quartet will tour the length of the country, with a tour that includes bigger cities, as well as regional centres.
I started playing the violin when I was five - my parents were actually trying to guide me towards the cello, but I demanded to learn the violin like my older brother apparently! Everyone plays an instrument in my family, so my house growing up was always filled with music.
ANDERSON & ROE PIANO DUO 10 – 23 March
Left to right: Kate Oswin Violin, Lydia Abell Viola, Alicia Berendse Violin, Ghislaine McMullin Cello
works to include in our programmes and came across a YouTube video of the NZSQ playing excerpts of this piece. We loved the energy and variety of the different folk traditions, and it is great fun to perform. The other works we decided to programme around it also have strong folk influences. What’s on the hit list while in NZ? It is the first time Alicia, Lydia and Ghislaine have flown to the southern hemisphere. They have already sampled my family’s secret pavlova recipe, and we have a great selection of New Zealand wines in London so that has been covered already! But actually I’m most looking forward to showing them the Kiwi friendliness and pace of life - it’s so different from being on the tube in London at rush hour!
ALEX ROSS, BIANCA ANDREW & STROMA 20 – 30 May
Best-selling author and The New Yorker music critic, Alex Ross, joins our much-loved kiwi artists to present an exquisite tasting session of modern classical music.
REGIONAL SERIES MAZZOLI TRIO 11 Mar – 8 Jun
The Trio will play a wide ranging programme characterised by variety and exuberance – the second quality being also a characteristic of the players themselves.
TORU 9 – 25 May
Flute, viola and harp come together thanks to Karen Batten, Sophia Acheson and Ingrid Bauer. All well-known Orchestra Wellington principal players, the trio will embark on a regional tour from Warkworth to Gore.
BEHN QUARTET TOURING: 14 April – 1 May chambermusic.co.nz/behn
Full concert details: chambermusic.co.nz/2018 0800 CONCERT (266 2378)
Touch Tour with Juilliard415: Audio Described concert, May 2017
NEW IN NEW PLYMOUTH Audio description is now a firmly established part of Chamber Music New Zealand’s ‘repertoire’ and this year will be a first for both CMNZ and TSB Showplace, New Plymouth, as we bring audio description to Taranaki as part of the Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew and Stroma national tour.
“This is the first time that we have held an audio described performance with a touch tour - very exciting!” says Megan Brown, TSB Showplace Coordinator. “We’re really looking forward to a great year ahead working with CMNZ.” Audio Description is a narration service most commonly used in theatre, art galleries and television, that attempts to describe what the sighted person takes for granted - those images that a person who is blind or visually impaired formerly could only experience through the whispered asides from a sighted companion. Using a small, unobtrusive earpiece the blind patron can hear the audio describer’s commentary as she speaks through a radio transmitter. Other audience members don’t hear any of this commentary. A touch tour prior to the concert also gives these patrons the opportunity to experience the stage space, feel and hear where
the performers are sitting on stage in relation to each other, and touch instruments they will hear in the concert. CMNZ first piloted this service in 2014 and has partnered with Aucklandbased audio describer, Nicola Owen ever since. Nicola admits that she was a little sceptical that audio description would work successfully with chamber music concerts, but she has tailored and developed this service to meet our requirements (eg. no talking over the music) and is now a big advocate, often introducing new audiences to chamber music.
“On our arrival we were taken on an awesome touch tour where we got to meet some of the performers, touch some instruments and hear about the performers. It was such a cool experience.” - Homai BLENNZ Auckland student, 2017 audio described concert
Photo: Darcy Woods
ALEX ROSS WITH BIANCA ANDREW & STROMA Audio description with a touch tour prior to the concert will be offered in the following centres:
Auckland | Sun 20 May New Plymouth | Tue 22 May Wellington | Fri 25 May For details on how to book an audio described ticket (companion seat free if required) visit: chambermusic.co.nz/audiodescription
Touch Tour Photos: Andi Crown
THE REST IS NOISE: A revelatory exploration into the history of 20th Century chamber music.
ALEX ROSS with BIANCA ANDREW & STROMA
Literature & music come together in this unique concert. Alex Ross, bestselling author of The Rest is Noise, and New York Times music critic, will guide audiences through 20th century chamber music and dispel the elitist aura that often surrounds classical music. In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA.
Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, BartĂłk, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.
ALEX ROSS WITH BIANCA ANDREW & STROMA TOURING: 20-30 May chambermusic.co.nz/alexross
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Photo: Darcy Woods
WWW.CHAMBERMUSIC.CO.NZ
LET THE MUSIC PLAY ON
2017 was an exciting year for Chamber Music New Zealand. From our outstanding national and regional concerts, to our national Chamber Music Contest and other activities in our extensive education and outreach programme, we have provided world-class chamber music performances to a range of communities throughout New Zealand. All of this is only possible with the support of our loyal donors, partners and funders. When you choose to invest in what we do, you are choosing to maintain and foster classical music in Aotearoa. On behalf of all of us at CMNZ, thank you! NEW 2018 PARTNERSHIPS Chamber Music New Zealand is delighted to welcome two new partners in 2018 who are supporting our Contest coaching programme.
Trinity College is one of our new Education partners and will be well known to anyone with an interest in the performing arts within New Zealand. Recognised as a leading international exam board, they offer assessments in communicative and performance skills covering music, drama, combined arts and English language. Trinity College New Zealand is strongly committed to involvement local communities, in order to contribute to the richness of performing arts education in New Zealand. Chamber Music New Zealand partners
Trinity College New Zealand, National Representative Cathy Martin says, “Chamber Music New Zealand’s commitment to providing quality education and performance opportunities for young musicians sits perfectly alongside Trinity’s belief that effective communicative and performance skills are life enhancing, know no boundaries and should be within reach of us all. We are proud to support CMNZ’s education outreach programme in 2018 and wish all participants every success in their musical journeys.”
Freemasons have a tradition of caring. We care about people in need and the community around us. The Freemasons Foundation is an independent charitable trust formed in 1957. Originally formed to provide care for the elderly, that caring now continues with a wider philanthropic focus, providing for all parts of our community. Health has remained at the core of the Foundation’s interests, but they cover many areas of need, including the arts. David Mace ONZM, Chair of the Freemasons Foundation, said that the Foundation is pleased to be able to assist Chamber Music New Zealand with their 2018 Coaching Programme.
“It is wonderful to be able to encourage excellence in our young. Through our support for other organisations, we have enjoyed watching the young develop their skills. Some going on to succeed internationally. We see this link with CMNZ as an opportunity to help students in smaller regions, throughout the country. Possibly giving them that first step up to help them fulfil their dreams.” The Masonic tradition of caring remains as strong as ever. LOOKING AHEAD Last year we were able to provide coaching to 340 students in 10 districts. With our newly developed partnerships, we can continue bringing coaching to contest participants in more regions throughout New Zealand – ensuring that they have the tools needed to reach their highest potential leading up to the Contest district rounds. To find out more about how you could have a personal impact on local communities please contact: Development Team encore@chambermusic.co.nz Phone: (04) 802 0759
SOUND
BITES Around CMNZ: We wish the best of luck to our former Development Manager, Mandy Carian, in her new role as Philanthropy Manager at Save the Children.
CORE FUNDER Creative New Zealand
At the end of 2017 we said farewell to our Auckland Concert Manager, John Giffney, who had taken over from his wife, Ros. Between them the role had been in the Giffney family for 8 years – thank you! We now welcome our newly appointed Auckland Concert Manager, Bleau Bustenera – best of luck with the role!
CORPORATE PARTNERS VOICE, Todd Corporation, Templar Family Office, Phantom Billstickers, Babich Wine, Format Print, J Fraser & Sons, King & Queen Hotel Suites, Michael Hill International Violin Competition, KBB Music, The University of Auckland, Trinity College
CONTEST ALUMNI: Diane Huh, violin, Tahee Kim, cello and Modi Deng, piano, as The Korimako Trio were the winners of the 2017 Pettman ROSL Arts Chamber Music Scholarship. They will be travelling to the UK during 2018 for their five week scholarship. Daniel Sun is the NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composer Award winner
OPPORTUNITIES: NZCT Chamber Music Contest applications are now open. Enter online at chambermusic.co.nz/contest Are you a music student? Or are you simply passionate about chamber music? We are always on the hunt for passionate volunteers and student ambassadors. If that sounds like you, contact Alessandra: alessandra@chambermusic.co.nz Applications for proposals are now open for CMNZ’s 2019 Matariki Regional Series. If your group has a family-friendly, cross-cultural concert package that you think would suit a celebration of this iconic Aotearoa festival, go to our website and fill in an application before Tuesday 8 May 2018: chambermusic.co.nz/tour-with-us
Digital Theme Send us your email address and we will alert you when the latest version of Theme is available online. Send your request to info@chambermusic.co.nz and enter in the Subject line "Theme alert". © Chamber Music New Zealand 2018 No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of Chamber Music New Zealand.
SUPPORTING FUNDER NZCT
FUNDING PARTNERS Foundation North • Stout Trust Deane Endowment Trust • IHC Foundation The Lion Foundation • The Wallace Foundation Freemasons Foundation • Community Trust of Southland Dunedin City Council • Eastern & Central Community Trust First Light Community Foundation • Four Winds Foundation Invercargill Licensing Trust • Judith Clark Memorial Fund Otago Community Trust Pelorus Trust • Pub Charity • Rātā Foundation • Southern Trust • The Adam Foundation Timaru District Council • Trust House •Trust Waikato TSB Community Trust • Turnovsky Endowment Trust Wellington City Council • Wellington Community Trust Winton & Margaret Bear Charitable Trust CHAMBER MUSIC NEW ZEALAND Level 4, 75 Ghuznee Street, P.O. Box 6238, Wellington Tel (04) 384 6133 Email info@chambermusic.co.nz Website www.chambermusic.co.nz BOARD Lloyd Williams (Chair), Quentin Hay, Gretchen La Roche, Bruce Phillips, Matthew Savage, Sarah Sinclair, Vanessa Van den Broek, Kerrin Vautier BRANCHES Auckland: Chair, TBC; Concert Manager, Bleau Bustenera Hamilton: Chair, Murray Hunt; Concert Manager, Gaye Duffill New Plymouth: Concert Manager, Catherine Martin Hawke’s Bay: Chair, June Clifford; Concert Manager, Rhondda Poon Manawatu: Chair, Graham Parsons; Concert Manager, Virginia Warbrick Wellington: Concert Manager, Rachel Hardie Nelson: Chair, Annette Monti Concert Manager, Clare Monti Christchurch: Chair; TBC Concert Manager, Jody Keehan Dunedin: Chair, Terence Dennis; Concert Manager, Richard Dingwall Southland: Chair, Rosie Beattie; Concert Manager, Jennifer Sinclair For all Concert Managers phone 0800 CONCERT (266 2378) REGIONAL PRESENTERS: Marlborough Music Society Inc (Blenheim), Christopher’s Classics (Christchurch), Cromwell & Districts Community Arts Council, Geraldine Academy of Performance & Arts, Musica Viva Gisborne, Music Society Eastern Southland (Gore) Arts Far North (Kaitaia), Aroha Music Society (Kerikeri), Chamber Music Hutt Valley, Motueka Music Group, Oamaru Opera House, South Waikato Music Society (Putaruru), Waimakariri Community Arts Council (Rangiora), Rotorua Music Federation, Taihape Music Group, Tauranga Musica Inc, Te Awamutu Music Federation, Upper Hutt Music Society, Waikanae Music Society, Wanaka Concert Society Inc, Chamber Music Wanganui, Warkworth Music Society, Wellington Chamber Music Trust, Whakatane Music Society, Whangarei Music Society.
STAFF PICKS: 2018 HIGHLIGHTS 2018 will be a year-long festival of music. The Season combines breathtaking quality with extraordinary range, featuring illustrious artists, beautiful programmes and enticing variety of genre and style. We asked members of CMNZ staff the hard task of picking their personal highlights of the Season to come.
Peter Walls
“I think this is the best CMNZ season ever – superb quality, extraordinary variety and truly international. I can’t wait to hear Anderson & Roe (pure virtuosity and wit), to meet Alex Ross, to be able to give New Zealander’s the chance to hear viol consort playing at its ultimate level with Phantasm. Ensemble Zefiro, too, will bring a new dimension to high-end historical performance in Aotearoa. Last but not least, I so look forward to welcoming Hiroshi Ikematsu (such a personality and such a musician) back to this country. Truly, a year-long festival of chamber music.”
Chief Executive
“It’s always so hard to choose… Anderson & Roe’s eclectic programme and energetic zeal will definitely start the year with a bang, I love what Heath Quartet are doing in education, and the Behn Quartet women are so inspiring (not to mention performing an incredible programme). I’m so looking forward to seeing Hiroshi Ikematsu again, the man is a genius, and the ‘Trout’ is top ten for a reason – if you’ve neer been to one of our concerts, this is one to watch.”
Shelley Davis
Marketing Manager
“There is a great deal to like about the 2018 Season. I suppose that I am particularly looking forward to hearing Behn Quartet and The Klara Kollektiv – both include young kiwis pursuing international careers, who are passionate about coming home and sharing their music making – as well as their musical friends – with audiences throughout Aotearoa.”
Jack Hobbs Artistic Assistant
Catherine Gibson Artistic Manager
Virginia Close
Development Executive
“I can’t wait for this Season to begin, such variety and I hope, something for everyone! A personal highlight will be the amazing wind playing on historical instruments by Ensemble Zefiro. I have already heard the Heath Quartet live at the Wigmore Hall, so I know New Zealand audiences will be in for a treat with this terrific string quartet. The musical journey with Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew and STROMA will be fascinating, as they wend their way through a pivotal selection of music from the last 100 years or so. Piers Lane is always a favourite and MHIVC winner Ioana Cristina Goicea paired with another winner, Andrey Gugnin from the Sydney International Piano Competition will bring a new dimension to this bi-annual tour.”
“The 2018 season is full of excitement and there is a variety to appeal to everyone. I am looking forward to the piano duo Anderson & Roe and the Heath Quartet in addition to Ensemble Zefiro who’ll bring a bit of classical zest to NZ. This is only the tip of the iceberg - you are not going to want to miss a performance this season!”