Kronos Quartet make Auckland debut this month

MEDIA RELEASE
Kronos Quartet make Auckland debut this month

For immediate release / 10 February 2005 / 167 words

Cutting edge chamber musicians Kronos Quartet from San Francisco perform in Auckland for the first time this month, on Wednesday 23 February as part of Auckland Festival AK05.

Kronos recently released a new CD on Nonesuch Records entitled Mugam Sayagi: Music of Franghiz Ali-Zadeh. The disc includes four works by the Azerbaijani composer, three of which were commissioned by Kronos. One of these is Ali-Zadeh¹s ŒOasis¹, which Kronos will perform at their Auckland performance later this month.

Kronos Artistic Director and violinist David Harrington says, "Franghiz's pieces unfold with a magical sense of timing. New scenes arrive mysteriously, each born at just the right moment. She gives us exquisite interior worlds of instrumental color and we dwell in places we've never been before."

Chamber Music New Zealand presents Kronos Quartet by arrangement with Arts Projects Australia. The Auckland concert is supported by the Endeavour Trust.

For more information visit www.chambermusic.co.nz or ph 0800 CONCERT (266 2378).

Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.

ENDS

About Kronos Quartet

One of the world¹s most influential and sought after contemporary music ensembles for over 30 years, Kronos have changed the way audiences experience music.

Kronos¹ music has featured in film soundtracks such as Requiem for a Dream, 21 Grams, Heat and True Stories and also in dance, with choreographers like Twyla Tharp setting pieces to Kronos¹ music.

The group are synonymous with musical innovation and experimentation. Kronos 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 are also renowned for crossing musical and artistic boundaries, with their recordings and performances appealing to lovers of classical, jazz, rock and world music.

Kronos have built an eclectic and extensive repertoire for string quartet, performing and recording works by 20th-century masters, contemporary composers, jazz legends, and musicians including Pakistani vocal master Pandit Pran Nath and avant-garde saxophonist John Zorn. Even included is a rendition of rock guitar legend Jimi Hendrix¹s Purple Haze!

CONCERT DATE

Auckland - Wednesday 23 February, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm Presented as part of Auckland Festival AK05

ABOUT CMNZ

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.

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