Themed concerts & series
Since 2002 the musicians of the New Zealand String Quartet have taken a theme and used it to explore a particular area of chamber repertoire in depth. They’ve then shared their discoveries with audiences through two linked programmes in an annual New Zealand series now eagerly awaited. The themes are most often a composer or group of composers, but sometimes these stretch to a nationality (French, Czech) or an extra-musical idea that links a particular group of compositions.
Find out more about a selection of these performances below.
New Zealand at Kings Place
The New Zealand String Quartet and friends present three themed concerts at Kings Place in London, England, 29 – 31 March 2012. The musicians and composers of this series have traveled between an old world and a new one, have explored ancient and modern cultures and bring a contemporary perspective to folk and classical traditions.
French Connections
The New Zealand String Quartet’s French Connections series in 2008 presented two captivating programmes illustrating the sensuous qualities of French music. The Quartet performed two programmes of beguiling music by Fauré, Debussy, and Ravel, and their successors Henri Dutilleux and Debussy-inspired Japanese composer, Toru Takemitsu.
Bach and Mendelssohn – A Divine Obsession!
There was Bach – whose music can inspire the mind with the magnificence of its architecture and touch the heart with the wonder of its melodies.
And there was Mendelssohn – the brilliant young composer, romantic and passionate, whose lifelong obsession with the music of Bach shaped his own career and inspired him to reveal it to the world.
Haydn and the String Quartet
For its annual series tour the New Zealand String Quartet prepared two special programmes of discovery and celebration to honour Haydn, a composer who brought new heights of expression and individuality to chamber music.
Hungarian Rhapsodies Tour – August/September 2011
To mark the Liszt bi-centenary in 2011, the New Zealand String Quartet brought outstanding Hungarian pianist Péter Nagy to New Zealand for a national tour of music by Liszt, Brahms, Beethoven, Bartok, Dohnanyi and Ligeti.
The New Zealand String Quartet and Friends present “Seven Strings by Candlelight”
The New Zealand String Quartet’s annual “candlelight” concert at St Mary of the Angels Church has been popular with Wellington concertgoers for many years. This year, New Zealand’s favorite chamber ensemble was joined by musical friends from the NZSO for a rich and varied programme.
