Kronos Quartet programme revealed
New Zealand’s largest chamber music presenter Chamber Music New Zealand have revealed the music that the Kronos Quartet
will perform at their two New Zealand concerts next year. Kronos are in Auckland as part of the 2005 Auckland Festival
AK05 on Wednesday 23 February and in Wellington on Monday 14 March.
The Kronos Quartet are one of the world’s most influential contemporary ensembles and visit New Zealand in 2005 for the
first time in nine years. Their programme is a selection of ‘eclectic and electrifying’ world music.
Hindi film music maker Rahul Dev Burman is known for introducing an era of electronic rock to the Hindi film scene in
the 1960’s. In fact, many of the tunes being remixed in the Indi-Pop scene today are compositions of his. Kronos
performed one of Burman’s compositions, Aaj Ki Raat, on their Caravan CD released in 2000. The quartet will perform an
arrangement of four of his pieces, ‘Suite’ on their New Zealand tour next year.
The group will also perform a piece by young composer Alexandra du Bois. Twenty three year old Alexandra was the first
recipient of the quartet’s prize for up and coming composers, the Kronos: Under 30 Project. Kronos will perform her
winning piece, ‘Oculus Pro Oculo Totum Orbem Terrae Caecat’, which means ‘an eye for an eye makes the whole world
blind’.
The quartet are known as supporters of minimalist music, and will perform a piece by American composer Steve Reich.
Kronos will play his ‘Triple Quartet’ (which includes pre recorded backing tracks by Kronos).
Other highlights of the programme include ‘Myself when I am real’ by the jazz great Charles Mingus, ‘Potassium’ by rock
music fan Michael Gordon (written especially for the group), and ‘Oasis’ by Azerbaijan composer and pianist Franghiz
Ali-Zadeh.
General Manager Brian Budd says, “For over 30 years, Kronos Quartet have pushed the edge of chamber music repertoire and
continue to change the way audiences experience music. Once again Kronos Quartet have stayed true to their artistic
vision with a programme that represents their passion for embracing and expressing a diversity of music. As we say at
Chamber Music New Zealand, the Kronos Quartet programme and performance will be ‘eclectic and electrifying’.”
The tour is supported by the Adam Foundation, Endeavour Trust and Willi Fels Trust.
For more information or to request a 2005 brochure ph 0800 CONCERT (266 2378) or visit http://www.chambermusic.co.nz
In presenting 2005’s artists, Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.
END OF MEDIA RELEASE
About Kronos Quartet
With their unique artistic vision and a fearless dedication to experimentation, Kronos continue to change the way
audiences experience music and often include multi-media displays in their performances.
Kronos’ music has featured in films Requiem for a Dream (composed by Phillip Glass), 21 Grams, Heat and True Stories and
also in dance, with choreographers like Twyla Tharp setting pieces to Kronos’ music.
The group are synonymous with musical innovation and have performed live with the likes of icons Allen Ginsberg, the
Modern Jazz Quartet, and David Bowie, and have appeared on recordings by Dave Matthews, Nelly Furtado, and Texas yodeler
Don Walser.
Kronos Quartet’s appeal extends to lovers of classical, jazz, rock and world music. Their CMNZ 2005 tour is presented in
association with the Endeavour Trust.
Quotes
“I’ve always wanted the string quartet to be vital, and energetic, and alive, and cool, and not afraid to kick ass and
be absolutely beautiful and ugly if it has to be. But is has to be expressive of life. To tell the story with grace and
humour and depth. And to tell the whole story, if possible.” David Harrington "Unswervingly hip" The Washington Post
“The Fab Four of classical music” Rolling Stone
"Kronos have expanded every possible boundary that the quartet tradition has presented" The Strad
About Chamber Music New Zealand
Chamber Music New Zealand present local and international chamber music ensembles throughout New Zealand. Their annual
Celebrity Season showcases premier international artists, while the Associate Societies programme focuses on New Zealand
performers. The New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2005,
fosters the musical stars of the future.
CONCERT DATES
Auckland - Wednesday 23 February, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm Presented as part of Auckland Festival AK05
Wellington - Monday 14 March, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm
PROGRAMME
Michael Gordon Potassium * Charles Mingus (arr. Sy Johnson) Myself When I Am Real +
Franghiz Ali-Zadeh Oasis * Rahul Dev Burman Suite + (arr.
Stephen Prutsman / Kronos)
I. Mehbooba Mehbooba
II. Nadir Paare Uthche Dhowa
III. Saajan, Sajna Re, Saajan Kahan Jaoongi Main
IV. Dhanno Ki Aankhon
Interval
Alexandra du Bois String Quartet: Oculus Pro Oculo Totum Orbem Terrae Caecat (“an eye for an eye makes the whole
world blind”) * Steve Reich Triple Quartet *
* Written for Kronos + Arranged for Kronos
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kronos Quartet: www.kronosquartet.org Kronos: Under 30 Project: http://www.kronosquartet.org/under30/
Kronos Quartet is presented in concert by Chamber Music New Zealand.