MEDIA RELEASE:
Chamber Music New Zealand reveals 2006 artists
Embargoed till 29 September 2005 / 588 words
Today, Chamber Music New Zealand announced the artists in its 2006 Celebrity Season. The season features some of the
world¹s best chamber music performers, both established and rising stars.
Loved by audiences last time they visited in 2004, Israel¹s Jerusalem Quartet return to New Zealand to open Chamber
Music New Zealand¹s 2006 Celebrity Season in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in April. The Jerusalem Quartet
attract a vast amount of international acclaim wherever they go and have been dubbed "chamber music superstars" amongst
younger string quartets.
Kazakhstan-born guitarist Slava Grigoryan has become known as the "wizard" of the classical guitar. Slava¹s debut
classical album was awarded Best Classical Album at the 2002 ARIA Awards, and his recordings with The Australian Guitar
Quartet won the 2003 Best Classical Album ARIA. His concerts in March 2006 open the Celebrity Season in six centres.
This will be Slava¹s first tour for CMNZ.
Comprising four of Australia¹s finest string players, the Goldner String Quartet return to New Zealand in April and May
next year. All members of the quartet have occupied Principal positions in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian
Chamber Orchestra. They have also enjoyed collaborations with many international artists including violist Brett Dean
and guitarist Slava Grigoryan.
Without any doubt, John Chen is New Zealand¹s finest young concert pianist. In 2004, as an 18 year old, John became the
youngest winner of the Sydney International Piano Competition. He was also the first competitor from Australia or New
Zealand to win the competition since it began in 1977. John made his CMNZ touring debut with violinist Julia McCarthy in
2005 and also performed at the official 40th birthday celebrations of the New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music
Contest. He will perform his first solo tour for Chamber Music New Zealand in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin in June
2006.
The bassoon steps into the limelight with local ensemble Divertissement next year. Taking their name from a work by
French composer Jean Francaix, Divertissement will perform rarely heard works for bassoon, violin, viola, cello and
double bass. The group comprises six members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra proof that chamber music is indeed
the music of friends!
Canadian ensemble the St Lawrence String Quartet last toured for Chamber Music New Zealand in 2003 and return in 2006.
The group have been dubbed the "hottest of the younger string quartets" (The Boston Globe) and have a reputation for
imaginative, spontaneous music-making that the Washington Post calls "emotionally high charged but never out of
control."
Featuring three young brothers from Vienna, the Eggner Trio will visit New Zealand for the first time in 2006. The trio
won the prestigious 4th Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition in 2003 and have achieved immense rapport and
understanding through their years of playing together.
Esteemed soloists Julian Rachlin and Itamar Golan visit New Zealand for the first time in 2006 to wrap-up the 2006
Celebrity Season in November with concerts in Auckland and Wellington. Julian Rachlan (violin) gained international
acclaim in 1988 when he won the "Young Musician of the Year" Award at the Eurovision Competition in Amsterdam and his
performances have been described as "super-fine and platinum tipped" (The Times). Itamar Golan (piano) leads a
distinguished career as a chamber music performer, appearing with soloists and ensembles throughout the world.
For more information and to request a 2006 brochure, please contact Chamber Music New Zealand, ph 0800 CONCERT (266
2378) or log onto www.chambermusic.co.nz.
Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.
Public ticket sales for these events are available from 13 February 2006.
Members of the public can only secure seats before this date by buying a CMNZ subscription pass. Feel free to get in
touch if you'd like information on CMNZ's subscription packages / need further information / images on any of 2006's
artists.
ENDS
About Chamber Music New Zealand
Chamber Music New Zealand presents local and international chamber music ensembles throughout New Zealand. Chamber Music
New Zealand¹s Celebrity Season brings the world's finest chamber music ensembles to nine centres around the country.
Feature artists vary in nationality and style. All share a high reputation for virtuosity and vitality.
http://www.chambermusic.co.nz/artists
The New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2005, fosters the
musical stars and composers of the future. The contest the longest running youth music competition in New Zealand and is
the only national chamber music competition for young musicians and composers in the country. The National Final will
also feature a performance of the winning Original Composition.
http://www.chambermusic.co.nz/music-contest
The Associate Societies programme presents the top local musicians to smaller centres throughout New Zealand.
http://www.chambermusic.co.nz/artists
ENDS
==
EMBARGOED TILL 29 SEPTEMBER: CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO FOLLOW
==
INFORMATION EMBARGOED TILL 30 SEPTEMBER 2005
New Zealand 2006 Calendar of Events
SLAVA GRIGORYAN (Australia)
March
Kazakhstan-born guitarist Slava Grigoryan migrated with his family to Australia in 1981 and has since become known as
the "wizard" of the classical guitar. Slava¹s debut classical album was awarded Best Classical Album at the 2002 ARIA
Awards, and his recordings with The Australian Guitar Quartet won the 2003 Best Classical Album ARIA. This will be
Slava¹s first tour for Chamber Music New Zealand and a rare opportunity to hear the baritone guitar.
Invercargill Friday 3 March, Centrestage, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Dunedin Tuesday 7 March, Glenroy Auditorium, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Nelson Wednesday 8 March, Nelson School of Music, 8pm. Book at Nelson School of Music.
Napier Thursday 9 March, Century Theatre, 8pm. Book at Century Theatre.
Palmerston North Friday 10 March, Regent on Broadway, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
New Plymouth Saturday 11 March, Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
JERUSALEM QUARTET (Israel)
April
Known for their mature interpretation of the great works and flawless technique, the Jerusalem Quartet return to New
Zealand to open Chamber Music New Zealand¹s 2006 Celebrity Season in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. One of the
most dynamic and exciting young quartets currently performing, the Jerusalem Quartet attract a vast amount of
international acclaim wherever they go. The young quartet have been dubbed the "chamber music superstars" of the new
generation of young string quartets.
Auckland Saturday 1 April, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Christchurch Monday 3 April, James Hay Theatre, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Wellington - Tuesday 4 April, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
GOLDNER STRING QUARTET (Australia)
April / May
Comprising four of Australia¹s finest string players, the Goldner String Quartet return to New Zealand in 2006. All
members of the quartet have occupied Principal positions in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Australian Chamber
Orchestra. They have also enjoyed collaborations with many international artists including violist Brett Dean and
guitarist Slava Grigoryan. The Goldner String Quartet are currently resident at the University of New South Wales. The
quartet last toured NZ in 1999.
Palmerston North Wednesday 26 April, Regent on Broadway, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Napier Thursday 27 April, Century Theatre, 8pm. Book at Century Theatre.
New Plymouth Friday 28 April, Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Wellington Saturday 29 April, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Nelson Monday 1 May, Nelson School of Music, 8pm. Book at Nelson School of Music.
Christchurch Tuesday 2 May, Town Hall Auditoruim, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Dunedin Thursday 4 May, Glenroy Auditorium, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Invercargill Friday 5 May, Centrestage, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Auckland - Saturday 6 May, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
DIVERTISSEMENT (NZ)
May / June
Taking their name from a work by French composer Jean Francaix, Divertissement will perform rarely heard works for
bassoon, violin, viola, cello and double bass. The group comprises six members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
proof that chamber music is indeed the music of friends!
Invercargill Monday 29 May, Centrestage, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Dunedin Tuesday 30 May, Glenroy Auditorium, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
New Plymouth Monday 12 June, Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Palmerston North Tuesday 13 June, Regent on Broadway, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Napier Wednesday 14 June, Century Theatre, 8pm. Book at Century Theatre.
Christchurch Thursday 15 June, James Hay Theatre, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Nelson Saturday 17 June, Nelson School of Music, 8pm. Book at Nelson School of Music.
Auckland Saturday 24 June, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Wellington Monday 26 June, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
JOHN CHEN (New Zealand)
June
Without any doubt, John Chen is New Zealand¹s finest young concert pianist. In 2004, as an 18 year old, John became the
youngest winner of the Sydney International Piano Competition. He was also the first competitor from Australia or New
Zealand to win the competition since it began in 1977.
Dunedin - Tuesday 6 June, Marama Hall, University of Otago
Wellington - Sunday 11 June, Ilott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall
Auckland - Tuesday 13 June, Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall
ST LAWRENCE STRING QUARTET (Canada)
August / September
The St Lawrence String Quartet last toured for Chamber Music New Zealand in 2003 and return in 2006. The quartet have
established themselves among the world-class chamber ensembles of their generation and continue to expand the wonders of
chamber music to new listeners. The group have a reputation for imaginative, spontaneous music-making that the
Washington Post calls "emotionally high charged but never out of control."
Dunedin Monday 28 August, Glenroy Auditorium, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Nelson - Tuesday 29 August, Nelson School of Music, 8pm. Book at Nelson School of Music.
Wellington Wednesday 30 August, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Palmerston North Thursday 31 August, Regent on Broadway, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
New Plymouth Saturday 2 September, Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Napier Monday 4 September, Century Theatre, 8pm. Book at Century Theatre.
Christchurch Tuesday 5 September, Town Hall Auditorium, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Auckland Wednesday 6 September, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm.
EGGNER TRIO (Austria)
October
The Eggner Trio from Vienna will visit New Zealand for the first time in 2006. These three young brothers won the
prestigious 4th Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition in 2003 and have achieved immense rapport and
understanding through their years of playing together.
Nelson - Monday 9 October, Nelson School of Music, 8pm. Book at Nelson School of Music.
Invercargill - Tuesday10 October, Centrestage, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Dunedin - Wednesday 11 October, Glenroy Auditorium, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.*
*Presented as part of the Otago Festival of the Arts
Auckland - Thursday 12 October, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
New Plymouth - Saturday 14 October, Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Christchurch - Monday16 October, James Hay Theatre, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Napier - Tuesday 17 October, Century Theatre, 8pm. Book at Century Theatre.
Palmerston North - Wednesday18 October, Regent on Broadway, 8pm. Book at TicketDirect.
Wellington - Thursday 19 October, Wellington Town Hall. Book at Ticketek.
JULIAN RACHLIN and ITAMAR GOLAN
November
Esteemed soloists Julian Rachlin and Itamar Golan visit New Zealand for the first time in 2006. Julian Rachlan gained
international acclaim in 1988 when he won the "Young Musician of the Year" Award at the Eurovision Competition in
Amsterdam. He has since established himself as one of the most charismatic and exciting violinists of his generation.
Itamar leads a distinguished career as a chamber music performer, appearing with soloists and ensembles throughout the
world.
Auckland Tuesday 21 November, Auckland Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
Wellington Wednesday 22 November, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
NEW ZEALAND COMMUNITY TRUST CHAMBER MUSIC CONTEST
National Final
August
The New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest fosters the musical stars of the future. It is the longest running
youth music competition in New Zealand and is the only national chamber music competition for young musicians and
composers in the country. The National Final will also feature a performance of the winning Original Composition.
Wellington Saturday 5 August, Wellington Town Hall, 8pm. Book at Ticketek.
--
For more information and to request a 2006 brochure, please contact Chamber Music New Zealand, ph 0800 CONCERT (266
2378) or log onto www.chambermusic.co.nz.
Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from Creative New Zealand.
About Chamber Music New Zealand
Chamber Music New Zealand presents local and international chamber music ensembles throughout New Zealand. Its 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 fosters the musical stars and composers of the future.
ENDS
BE SEDUCED: Flight (NZ)
Be seduced by magical music of flute and harp, from two of the NZSO's star players. Flight's NZ tour: 17 Sept - 3 Oct:
http://www.chambermusic.co.nz/artists/48.php