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volume 32 number 04 | november 2014
Written & Compiled by Catherine Gibson
ONTO 2015
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS! AND
‘Turnovsky Jubilee Ensemble’ - Bryony Gibson-Cornish (viola), Ashley Brown (cello), Natalie Lin (violin)
2015 is the NZCT Chamber Music Contest’s Jubilee. We look back to celebrate 50 years of the Contest and into the future, celebrating our young musicians and chamber music itself. Our Kaleidoscopes Concert Season is bookended with acclaimed international artists, with the very best of our New Zealand artists in between. Works from the core of the repertoire feature alongside those from New Zealand, with Douglas Lilburn’s extraordinary musical legacy showcased as we celebrate the centenary of his birth.
“The Brodskys’ achingly beautiful performance reached deep into the heart,” Guardian Opening our 2015 season is the Brodsky Quartet from the UK. Formed in 1972 and named after the great Russian violinist Adolf Brodsky, dedicatee of Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto and a passionate chamber musician. This Quartet is renowned for their energy and artistry and they have received a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for their outstanding contribution to innovation in programming. Their performances will include two masterworks of the repertoire: the Beethoven Quartets Opus 131 and 132. Programme One opens with two little known English gems from Benjamin Britten: his arrangement of Purcell’s Chaconne, and his own Poème, written when he was only 13. Bartók’s fifth Quartet follows with its extremes of contrasts,
variation and powerful rhythmic direction. Programme Two opens with Schubert’s ‘Quartettsatz’. Written in 1820 this is a work in a single movement with a real ebb and flow of tension throughout. Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 3 demonstrates his full powers as a chamber music composer, skilfully deploying the string quartet to express his utterly distinctive musical personality. Our Music: Composer Connections in association with SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music: May is a very busy month in which we celebrate NZ composers and ensembles and some very special collaborations. Three of New Zealand’s top ensembles, NZTrio, New Zealand String Quartet with Stephen De Pledge and NZ Chamber Soloists will each present a programme working with their favourite composer(s). The composer(s) will curate the concerts for their ensemble, including their own work and works that have inspired and influenced them. Please check the brochure to see which ensemble is coming to your centre. University Residencies will also be held in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington, where the ensembles and the composers will come together to perform and discuss the evolving process from creation through to performance. Continued page 3
Congratulations and we will miss you!
© Wanaka Photographyy
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Chief Executive, Euan Murdoch is to take up a new role as Director of Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington, from 26 January 2015.
Euan Murdoch has been Chief Executive for Chamber Music New Zealand since 2006. His warmth and enthusiasm, combined with an ambitious and passionate vision for the organisation has been generously shared with us all. Here are some of his memories and highlights:
experienced 100 or more concerts each year for 9 years, that makes nearly 1,000 highlights! At least I can look forward to an incredible line-up of concerts, workshops, masterclasses and lectures at the NZSM, and I will continue to attend as many CMNZ events as time allows.’
What are your earliest memories of Chamber Music New Zealand? ‘Chamber Music New Zealand has been a part of my life since being a young cellist in Invercargill and I am extremely proud to have been able to play a part in its rich history. Growing up in a small centre meant I had privileged access to visiting musicians in town as part of their CMNZ and NZSO tours. I was also lucky enough to be invited to play chamber music with the Aspey Family, young and old Vinces, both wonderful fiddlers, and Ted, viola. What a way to be introduced to the world of string quartets.’
What will you miss? ‘I will really miss the warmth and enthusiasm of chamber music supporters. I will also miss the inspiration of seeing young musicians working together as a team as part of our Chamber Music Contest. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of this extraordinary event that gave many of us our first taste of chamber music. It is a wonderful experience to be enjoyed live with, by and for friends.’
How do you see your time as Chief Executive at Chamber Music New Zealand contributing to your new role at NZSM? ‘I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at CMNZ and have learnt so much, especially about the importance of team work and building effective partnerships. Aristotle was surely referring to the world of chamber music with his quote “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. I’ll do my best to use my networks between education and industry.’ What are some of your most memorable experiences from your time at CMNZ? ‘Some of my most memorable experiences have been on the road with visiting international ensembles viewing our country through their lens, especially the way they acknowledge our knowledgeable audiences from Kaitaia in the North to Invercargill in the Deep South. Surviving a southerly gale on the Catlins Coast with the Eggners to view the petrified forest on the way from Invercargill to Dunedin, eating whitebait sandwiches on the beach at Mokau with the St Lawrence Quartet between New Plymouth and Hamilton venues, and soaking up the view from Te Mata Peak with the Borodins and many others. All these experiences inspire our artists to perform of their skins for us and keep them wanting to return next time.’ …and some personal highlights? ‘Personal highlights range from the regular visits of the world’s best chamber groups like the Borodin, Kronos and Takács Quartets, to Michael Houstoun’s Beethoven Piano Sonata cycles in 2013 and right back to the astonishing Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble with African dancers fresh from their BBC Prom in 2007. Actually, I cannot think of a single concert that hasn’t been a highlight for me…I’ve probably
…and your proudest achievement? ‘I’ve loved every moment of working for CMNZ, We are a passionately ambitious organisation. I’m so proud of our team and the leadership role we play connecting artists and audiences all over the country.’ We wish Euan all the best for this next exciting chapter in his career. We look forward to seeing him in the audience at our concerts and of course, still being part of the Chamber Music Family.
“Euan has been an exemplary leader for Chamber Music New Zealand for nearly ten years. Over this time he has revitalised and transformed us to become one of New Zealand’s foremost arts leadership organisations. We will miss him enormously, but know that his love of music and education are perfectly suited to this new role.” Roger King, Chair of CMNZ Trust
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...Continued from page 1
2015:
There is also an opportunity for you, our audience, to take part in Our Music: Open Stage. If you play in a chamber music group and would like to perform in a positive and welcoming atmosphere on the main stage during the day of the Composer Connections concert, then this is for you! All ages and abilities are welcome to sign up with more information on page 11 of the new brochure. Keep an eye out for further details on the website. NZTrio’s goal is to ‘inspire people of all walks of life to see classical music, both old and new as approachable, essential and meaningful.’ An ideal pairing with three of New Zealand’s emerging composers, Alex Taylor, Karlo Margetić and Claire Cowan has resulted in their innovative and unique soundscape. Members of NZTrio have a strong connection with the Contest: Justine and Sarah were winners in 1984, and Ashley was in the winning groups in 1986 and 1988. Karlo won the SOUNZ prize for original composition in 2004 and 2005. Composer Ross Harris has curated the programme for New Zealand String Quartet with pianist Stephen De Pledge. This collaboration is a meeting of old friends, they ‘fit like a glove’ and the combined result is spectacular. Inspired by the exquisite Bach Goldberg Variations, Ross Harris took the music of the 25th Variation and used it as the basis of a single movement for string quartet - Variation 25 (2008). Receiving its premiere will be the new Piano Quintet by Ross Harris (commissioned by Carolyn and Peter Diessl). New Zealand Chamber Soloists are passionate about celebrating the diverse colour palette of the sounds of New Zealand. This energetic trio are based at the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Waikato and have a direct connection back to the Contest: violinist Lara Hall was a national winner in 1995 and 1996. Psathas Corybas is their latest album and so, naturally, John Psathas was a perfect match for collaboration. Bookending his works will be the expressive Trio élégiaque by Rachmaninov and the lush and romantic Trio by Arno Babajanian. June 2015 will see an exciting change to the NZCT Chamber Music Contest with the new Regional Finals. The 15 District Rounds will feed into three regions - Northern, Central and Southern. This will create a valuable extra performance opportunity for groups who have done well locally, especially in the smaller districts.
“Can I just say how utterly delighted I am that there’s going to be a Regional Final; it will be such a big thing for our Nelson groups to aspire to.” Clare Monti - Nelson Concert Manager and District Contest Organiser
As the District Contest and new Regional Finals take place, the Turnovsky Jubilee Ensemble will be on the road, giving 15 performances from Whangarei to Invercargill. This intergenerational high-flying New Zealand ensemble, led by charismatic violinist Wilma Smith, includes musicians from the New Zealand String Quartet, NZTrio, NZ Chamber Soloists and the NZSO. They are joined by Victoria Simonsen, cellist in the Philharmonia Orchestra, London, and emerging artists Natalie Lin (violin), currently completing Doctoral studies at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas and Bryony Gibson-Cornish (viola), a Fulbright Scholar completing her Masters degree at the Juilliard School, New York. The players in the Ensemble all have a deep connection to the Contest as winners, coaches and adjudicators. Flautist Bridget Douglas will feature in the latter part of the tour with Bach’s Orchestral Suite No 2. Also keep a watch out for other local musicians joining them along the way!
‘Appalachian Octet’ - Recipients of the 2014 National Award for the Best Performance of a New Zealand Work
The Contest National Finals will be held in Wellington 1-2 August. Everyone is welcome to be part of the celebrations and to hear the finest of our young musicians. See you there! CLiK the ensemble with John Chen (piano), Natalie Lin (violin) and Edward King (cello) will perform on the main stages for the first time together. John will be familiar to audiences from his debut tour in 2005 and with Saguaro Trio in 2009. (Read more about John Chen on the back page of this issue of Theme). These three young NZ musicians are all developing successful international careers and as Contest Alumni they each trace their chamber music beginnings back to the Contest where John had a win in 2001 and Natalie and Edward in 2005. They will be performing a selection of solos and duos and finishing with Schubert’s exquisite first piano trio. We are delighted that much loved CMNZ Advocate and internationally admired pianist Michael Houstoun is performing in our Jubilee year. Following his incredible Beethoven reCYCLE series in 2013, he now brings a programme ‘Inspired by Bach’. It opens with Bach’s Partita No 1 and then explores transcriptions of and homages to the master, including the Chaconne, by Douglas Lilburn. For the finale of the 2015 season we welcome back the sophisticated Vienna Piano Trio, who will perform repertoire central to their Viennese tradition. The Strad (Sept 14) describes their most recent release of Beethoven piano trios, (which includes Opus 70 No 2 featured in Programme Two) as “playful, elegant and beautifully shaded”. The Vienna Piano Trio have given master classes at Wigmore Hall, Royal College of Music London, Toronto Summer Music Festival and in Finland, France, and the United States.
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1965 Contest winners: ‘Bear Trio’ (Wellington College) - Miles Golding (violin) Mark Jackson (cello) Chris Beckett (piano)
As we enter our Contest Jubilee year, where better to start than with the very first Contest. Extract from ‘Into a New Key’ by John Mansfield Thomson ‘The National Final was held on 6 August 1965. From over 300 entrants, ensembles from Auckland, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch played to members of the visiting Vienna Octet. Speaking through their clarinettist, Professor Boskovsky, the Octet expressed pleasure at the quality of the performances and awarded first prize to the Bear Trio from Wellington, who had impressed them by their musicianship, sense of style and the skill with which each player had maintained the balance of his individual part. The finalists received medals and a long-playing record given by the Octet.’
Where are they now? Before heading overseas, violinist Miles Golding had a brief spell in the original Split Ends, before they became Split Enz! However, as a classical violinist he furthered his study in London with Eli Goren, of the Allegri Quartet and co-leader of the BBCSO, and Sascha Lasserson, pupil of Leopold Auer, and then embarked on a very successful free-lance career performing with some of the top orchestras in London. Miles became interested in period performance in the late 1970’s and worked with the Academy of Ancient Music, English Baroque Soloists, London Classical Players, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and the English Concert. Still enjoying a busy free-lance career he leads the Armonico Consort’s orchestra in their varied programmes of mainly baroque repertoire, and in their popular and highly entertaining theatrical productions such as “Too Hot to Handel”. He is married to mezzo-soprano Catherine Denley, with three sons, all of whom are fine musicians.
Cellist, Mark Jackson’s playing career first led him to Australia where he was appointed Principal Cellist of the newly-formed Australian Opera Orchestra and then Co-Principal of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. After moving to London he became a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and then the Co-Principal Cellist of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and appeared on many occasions as guest cellist with the Melos Ensemble. In 1989, he accepted the position of Professor of Violoncello at the Conservatorio Regional do Algarve in Portugal. He now lives back in the UK teaching and playing the cello. Christopher Beckett pursued his piano studies in France, where he was admitted to the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris and obtained two first prizes in piano and chamber music. As a professional he toured the USA, Canada and Australia with violinist Régis Pasquier and passionate about theatre, he accompanied the actor-cellist Maurice Baquet and the singer Anne Sylvestre for nearly thirty years. Christopher Beckett teaches at the Music Conservatory of Sevres. Recently violinist Miles Golding got in touch with CMNZ and we took the opportunity to ask him about his experience of the Contest in its inaugural year. What are your memories of preparing for the Contest? ‘Mostly we rehearsed with the grand piano in the spacious living room at Chris Beckett’s house in Wadestown, but we had some coaching from violin teacher Ken Magill in a cramped little room in Firth House at Wellington College, with a horrible upright. I can’t remember how we rehearsed - we were all so young and hadn’t learnt how to listen critically, and so we were pretty dependent on those with more experience to address crucial technical and musical issues. It was very funny that Wellington College, where music was suffered rather than appreciated at the time - sport and marching around in platoons and cleaning bren guns were the most important extracurricular activities - suddenly realised that they had three musical ambassadors! I am thrilled to see that things have improved: the level and breadth of musical activity there is astonishing.’
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The latest winners of the 2014 Chamber Music Contest ‘L’arc en ciel’ - Francis Yoon (cello), Delvan Lin (piano) and April Ju (violin)
What’s your stand-out memory? ‘One of the adjudicators, Alfred Boskovsky, clarinettist in the Vienna Octet, was as tall as his Viennese accent was thick. All that I recall in his speech was his surprise and pleasure to discover the strength and love of music displayed by so many young musicians in such a remote country - and we were much more remote in 1965 - and that there was such a committed infrastructure that made it possible.’ How did you decide on your name Bear Trio? ‘Silly thoughts around the fact there were three of us - a big piano, a medium-sized cello and a small violin. It was as mundane as that!’ (Goldilocks and the …!) Are you still in touch with the other members of the Bear Trio? ‘Not for many years, but I renewed contact with Chris and Mark a few years ago to ask if they fancied attending our “Forty Years On” celebration at Wellington College (class of 1967). Mark was unable to do so, but Chris was game. He lives on a houseboat on the Seine near Orly Airport, I went over with my wife Catherine (a singer) and we rehearsed a few sonatas on one of their grand pianos, while Catherine and Brigitte walked, talked, and sang and played too. Chris and I played at the school, and performed two other recitals in Havelock North and at Waikato University.’
Did being part of the Contest and that music-making impact on any career or life choices? ‘I am sure that it did. Learning, rehearsing and performing in a serious chamber ensemble for the first time in a nationwide event was a refreshingly different world from churning through ABRSM music exams. Meeting and listening to the other young musicians was valuable: lo and behold, they too are nervous, apprehensive and make mistakes, yet can still enchant and thrill an audience with their commitment to the team, and to creating sounds from dots on a page. As Professor Boskovsky said, we didn’t know how lucky we were. But that contest must be seen as part of a wider musical experience. We had fantastic opportunities - Peter Zwartz, Juan Matteucci, Ashley Heenan, and the Wellington and National Youth Orchestras, with wonderful tutors like Vincent Aspey (senior!) - that were all going on at the same time. I had no idea what the music profession was like. I just knew I enjoyed music.’ What part does music play in your life today? ‘Large. I still earn a living playing my violin in a wide variety of genres, and do some teaching and coaching. At the instigation of a teacher I started a school orchestra at our boys’ primary school; with Catherine and that same teacher we put on musical productions, in which the kids had a hand in writing the “libretto”; I wrote and arranged a few tunes, and we all had a ball. Music still features strongly there, because they know what a powerful beneficial force it can be. In 2013 Catherine and I, along with a local drama teacher, produced a “Noye’s Fludde”
in our town, using all local talent. We’ve put on a few fund-raising musical events over the years here, all involving young musicians; it’s hard work, but very enjoyable. It’s a way of paying back the debt I owe to those who supported me and the other Bears and all those other young musicians in Wellington fifty years ago. Recent events? Playing percussion in another production of the Fludde (I lent them my slung mugs and the wind machine I built, and played them!), a recording of Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”, and performing three of the best string quartets ever written – late Haydn, late Mozart and early Beethoven. And I enjoy listening to many kinds of music.’ If you were invited to go to your perfect chamber music contest, what would you like to hear played? ‘Any music that the ensembles enjoy with their hearts and minds and souls; their joy won’t fail to touch other hearts, and they will all be winners.’
To celebrate Giving Tuesday New Zealand, we are entering 2015 subscribers who donate $100 or more into a special CMNZ Jubilee Pass giveaway draw. Winners will be announced on our website on 2 December 2014. For more information on how to donate or take part in Giving Tuesday, visit: www.chambermusic.co.nz
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Looking ‘Back to the Heart’ a year of quartets and more Michael Houstoun Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas Following Michael Houstoun’s highly acclaimed 2013 Beethoven ReCYCLE series performing all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas around the country, Rattle Records, the Wallace Arts Trust and Victoria University of Wellington have now released Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas by Michael Houstoun. New Zealand Chamber Soloists have recently launched a new Atoll recording: Psathas Corybas.
Congratulations to: Michael Norris: Winner of the SOUNZ Contemporary Award at the 2014 APRA Silver Scroll Awards, for Wu Xing (Inner Phases) for Chinese instrument ensemble and string quartet. Premiered as part of the 2014 CMNZ ‘Tales from the Forbidden City’ with New Zealand String Quartet and Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra. Ross Harris has been awarded the 2014 Laureate Award (Music) and Professor Jack C Richards is the recipient of the Award for Patronage from The Arts Foundation of New Zealand. Akato Trio: Kent Isomura (piano) Shauno Isomura (violin) Jesbery Hartono (cello) were the winners of the Auckland Chamber Music Prize, awarded to the top chamber ensemble at the School of Music, University of Auckland. The adjudication panel included the Borodin Quartet’s violist Igor Naidin, who mentioned there is nothing quite like this event for young chamber musicians in Russia and congratulated all the musicians for their hard work. Salina Fisher who has been selected as the 2015 NZSO National Youth Orchestra Composer in Residence. (Contest winner 2007, 2008, 2010) Quattro - Cellists Catherine Kwak, Jacky Siu, Alexander Arai-Swale, and Sam Lucas. Winners of the 2014 Pettman ROSL Arts Chamber Music Scholarship.
‘Doric String Quartet’
In 2014 we went ‘back to the heart’ and celebrated the essence of chamber music, showcasing the string quartet and some of the most exquisite music ever written. Four centres also experienced the colourful cultural collaboration of the Tales from the Forbidden City. Before coming to our shores Kelemen Quartet cellist Dora Kokas suffered an unexpected injury in the midst of their tour for our partner organisation, Musica Viva in Australia. Fortunately the extremely capable Hungarian cellist, Ákos Takács was flown out to fill Dora’s place. With one programme presented right around New Zealand, the new ensemble quickly melded and the performances shone with the ‘Kelemen’ characteristic freshness of style. During May the New Zealand String Quartet with their longtime friend and colleague, Canadian clarinettist James Campbell, performed two of the most loved chamber works the Mozart and Brahms clarinet quintets. Following close on their heels was another Canadian - winner of the 2013 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, virtuoso Nikki Chooi, with his expressive and brilliant playing. Congratulations go to Nikki, as he has just been signed by the prestigious Dispeker Artists agency based in New York. Notable was the beauty and emotion of the Doric String Quartet, as
well as their generosity as adjudicators of the National Finals of the Contest. Five centres enjoyed a quartet with a difference: Rhythm and Resonance showcased pianists Diedre Irons and Michael Endres, along with NZSO percussionists Thomas Guldborg and Lenny Sakofsky. This was a feast for the eyes as well as the ears, with two grand pianos and a aft of percussion with Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion as the centrepiece. This concert was audio described in Auckland and Wellington. The acclaimed Eggner Trio made a welcome return visit to New Zealand, this time with good friend Amihai Grosz, founding member of the Jerusalem String Quartet and now principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Their bonhomie and extrovert musical personalities shone through. Closing the 2014 season were two string quartets: In their 10th anniversary year Aroha String Quartet were on the main stage for the first time. The colours of the orient shone in their Chinese works and then were echoed in the Ravel String Quartet. Finally the mighty Borodin Quartet performed masterpieces at the very heart of the string quartet repertoire. In the words of Stuff Nation Review: ‘Music making does not get better than that.’
Around CMNZ Welcome to new staff: Becky Holmes is our new office administrator and Darcy Woods has been appointed to the role of Design and Print Administrator. Victoria University Summer Scholarship holder Anna Batchelar will be working in our national office over the summer on a knowledge management project to research an information management system for CMNZ’s records of past performances, artists, works and programme notes. CMNZ would like to thank our fabulous performers and loyal audiences in 2014! We would also like to acknowledge and thank all of our Regional Presenters, committees, and volunteers for supporting our New Zealand artists.
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Special Holiday Offer In 2014 we welcomed Kono Beverages, the award-winning Māori owned New Zealand company behind Tohu and Aronui wines, to the CMNZ family as one of our generous sponsors. Over the last few months many CMNZ audiences and touring artists have enjoyed sampling the exceptional wines that they produce. This season Kono Beverages are giving all of our subscribers the opportunity to enjoy a selection of the Aronui Wines with a discount of 20% on each case (6 bottles) and free freight for orders made by the 17th December 2014. What’s more they’ll be delivered in time for Christmas!
Core Funder
Creative New Zealand
Supporters
ABRSM • ASB Community Trust • Base Two Canterbury Community Trust • Carolyn & Peter Diessl Community Post • Community Trust of Southland Deane Endowment Trust • Dunedin City Council Eastern & Central Community Trust Endeavour Community Foundation Farina Thompson Charitable Trust • IHC Foundation Infinity Foundation • Invercargill Licensing Trust KBB Music • KPMG • Marie Vandewart Trust • McDermott Miller Strategies New Zealand Community Trust • Otago Community Trust Phantom Billstickers • Positively Wellington Venues Royal Over-Seas League • SOUNZ • Sparks • THE EDGE The Lion Foundation • The Southern Trust • The Stout Trust Trevkel Music Trust • Trust Aoraki • TSB Community Trust Turnovsky Endowment Trust • Wallace Arts Trust Wellington City Council Accommodation Suppliers Crowne Plaza Auckland Nice Hotel, New Plymouth • County Hotel Napier InterContinental Wellington
Aronui Wine on offer (per 6 bottle case) Nelson Chardonnay 2013 - 119.70 (RRP/case 149.70) Single Vineyard Nelson Pinot Gris 2014 - 105.30 (RRP/case 131.70) Single Vineyard Nelson Riesling 2014 - 105.30 (RRP/case 131.70) Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2014 - 105.30 (RRP/case 131.70)
Special pre-release, not yet on public sale
Single Vineyard Pinot Rose 2014 - 105.30 (RRP/case 131.70) Single Vineyard Nelson Pinot Noir 2012 - 135.30 (RRP/case 167.70)
Call 0800 864 894 and let Kono Beverages know that you are a CMNZ Subscriber when making your order to receive this great discount. For details of the wine available in this offer visit chambermusic.co.nz/aronui-holiday-offer-2014
ENCOMPASS REGIONAL CONCERTS The 2015 Encompass Series will see over 80 regional concerts right across the country, an incredible 50% increase on 2014. Contest Alumni feature in nearly every ensemble out on the road, from emerging artists to those well established in their careers. New works and homage to Douglas Lilburn all feature along with more familiar repertoire. Please contact your local presenters or see our website for more details of the Encompass Regional Concerts in 2015. Details of all Encompass concerts will be uploaded to our website.
Coffee Supplier: Karajoz Coffee Company Chocolatier: de Spa Chocolatier Floral supplier: Global Living Wine: Tohu Wines CHAMBER MUSIC NEW ZEALAND Level 4, 75 Ghuznee Street, P.O. Box 6238, Wellington Tel (04) 384 6133 Fax (04) 384 3773 Level 3, 57 – 61 High St, PO Box 1425, Auckland Tel (09) 358 3589 Email info@chambermusic.co.nz Website www.chambermusic.co.nz BOARD Roger King (Chair), Paul Baines, Gretchen La Roche, Sarah Sinclair, Peter Walls, Lloyd Williams, Sarah Van den Broek BRANCHES Auckland: Chair, Victoria Silwood; Concert Manager, Ros Giffney Hamilton: Chair, Murray Hunt; Concert Manager, Gaye Duffill New Plymouth: Chair, Joan Gaines; Concert Manager, Susan Case Hawkes Bay: Chair, June Clifford; Concert Manager, Liffy Roberts Manawatu: Chair, Graham Parsons; Concert Manager, Virginia Warbrick Wellington: Concert Manager, Rachel Hardie Nelson: Chair,Annette Monti Concert Manager, Clare Monti Christchurch: Chair, Colin McLachlan; Concert Manager, Jody Keehan Dunedin: Chair, Terence Dennis; Concert Manager, Richard Dingwall Southland: Chair, Shona Thomson; Concert Manager, Jennifer Sinclair For all Concert Managers phone 0800 CONCERT (266 2378) Regional Presenters located in: Blenheim, Cromwell, Gisborne, Gore, Hutt Valley, Kaitaia, Motueka, Rotorua, Taihape, Tauranga, Te Awamutu, Upper Hutt, Waikanae, Waimakariri, Waipukurau, Wanaka, Wanganui, Warkworth, Wellington, Whakatane and Whangarei. © Chamber Music New Zealand 2014 No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of Chamber Music New Zealand.
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Letter from… Zambia
by John Chen, piano (Contest winner, 2001)
“…brings to mind those few really creative interpreterpianists like Richter and Serkin” Clive O’Connell, The [Melbourne] Age
John Chen with his form class, Chengelo Secondary School in Mkushi, Zambia
John Chen launched his career by winning the 2004 Sydney International Piano Competition, where he also won prizes for his interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chamber music and Concerto. Since then, he has performed across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and extensively in Australia and New Zealand. John received his Master of Music from the University of Auckland under Rae de Lisle and an Artist Diploma at Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles under John Perry. After further studies at the University of Southern California, and with Volker Banfield in Hamburg, he is now working towards a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance under Rae de Lisle. Alongside his Doctoral studies, since January 2014 John has been living in Zambia working as a Mathematics and Music Teacher and he has shared some insights into his experiences thus far… “Since January 2014 I have been working as a Mathematics and Music Teacher at Chengelo Secondary School in Mkushi, Zambia. It has been a challenging and exciting time for me as I develop new skills. I first visited Zambia in 2012, volunteering with Youth for Christ in Mpulungu. I spent seven weeks there doing
education and youth discipleship work. From my first visit, I just fell in love with the country and the culture. I returned twice in 2013, the first time to make sure I had not idealised it in my mind, and by my third visit, it felt like a new homeland. Initially I came to start up a programme for music at Chengelo school and prepare a class for Cambridge O-levels. But somehow word about my mathematical abilities spread (back in the day, I used to be intelligent and I came first in New Zealand in Mathematics with Calculus in my final year of high school, alas no longer...), and I got drafted into teaching Mathematics classes also. It was a huge challenge to learn to be a Mathematics classroom teacher, but now I enjoy it perhaps even more than teaching music. On the music side, there are many challenges, first and foremost being that I am preparing my class of six for Cambridge O-level over a period of two years, and pretty much from scratch. I have to teach composition, performance, theory and history to these very keen and eager students who have virtually no musical background or prior education. Four of the students are doing vocal performance, which is exciting
for me because I can indulge in my favourite repertoire, Art Song. Zambians learn very well by rote, so they have no problems learning songs in European languages. I have had much experience accompanying art song, and my fluency in German helps with teaching diction. However, I have no vocal ability whatsoever. But thankfully one of my friends who lives on the other side of Zambia is an American missionary who did vocal performance at university. It has been interesting and very helpful to get some crash courses in vocal training from her. My other responsibilities here at the school include pastoral care for my form class, a group of 13 boys aged 12-13. I also run a weekend Classic Film Appreciation Club, where we look at the masterpieces of cinematic literature 1935-1960. All in all, I love what I am doing, and it is such a pleasure to teach students who are so keen to learn. I am not sure how long I will spend here, but at the moment I don’t see any reason to stop.” John Chen is touring to all ten centres in August 2015 with CLiK the ensemble.
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