Four South Island Dates For Magical NZTRIO

MEDIA RELEASE 17 September, 2010

1 Four South Island Dates For Magical NZTRIO

“In recent years NZTrio has established itself as one of the finest chamber ensembles in Australasia” - John Button, Dominion Post Popular contemporary chamber group, NZTrio, heads to the South Island this October with a dazzling programme of classical and modern works. The Trio, violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Sarah Watkins, widely praised as a chamber music ensemble of international stature, and virtuoso performers of New Zealand contemporary music, will give concerts in Queenstown, Blenheim, Timaru, and Akaroa.

Two masterpieces of the classical era form the bookends of NZTrio’s programme: Haydn's lively Gypsy Trio kicks off the performance in vigorous style, while Beethoven's monumental and majestic Archduke Trio presides over the second half. New works from New Zealand and the United States provide mesmerizing contrast: Rachel Clement's Shifting States – an NZTrio commission - evokes the delicate processes of glass making, and the piece from recent Pulitzer prize-winner Jennifer Higdon is an evocative musical portrayal of the colours pale yellow and fiery red. NZTrio describes the programme as an exhilarating journey through the spectrum of moods, styles, eras and energies.

“There will be some challenging stuff, some fun stuff, and some moments to sit back and reflect,” says Justine The tour is also NZTrio’s first South Island visit in an action-packed year which has seen the musicians perform tour internationally to Australia, Taiwan and China. Their 2010 schedule to date also includes a ten-centre North Island tour with Chamber Music New Zealand, concerts at the NZ International Arts Festival, and WOMAD, a series of recitals at the Auckland Museum. “We’ve had some great trips overseas,” says Ashley. “Now we’re really looking forward to growing local support. We’ve put together a programme of awesome music we know everyone will enjoy.”

The October tour also brings NZTrio back to its roots, after recent performances in the New Zealand Cultural Showcase at the World Expo in Shanghai. All three musicians studied at Canterbury University before continuing their musical educations abroad, and are looking forward to returning to Akaroa. Their friends, families and colleagues in Christchurch have been in their minds since the September 4 earthquake, and the Trio is looking forward to returning to the region. “Akaroa was always this magical place over the hill,” says Sarah. “We’re all looking forward to coming back to play there again, and hope we can bring some serene and joyful music to the people of Canterbury in this difficult time.”

Akaroa is just one of the four stunning venues that make up the tour. NZTrio will return to the Hills’ Golf Course in Queenstown after a successful 2009 concert, and remember the view from the clubhouse windows as “breathtaking and inspiring”. Brancott Estate in Blenheim is another spectacular venue with

MEDIA RELEASE 17 September, 2010 a “beautiful environment”, and the 2010 tour will be the Trio’s first time in Timaru, and they are looking forward to exploring the acoustic in Chalmers Church. ”[NZTrio] swept us up and swept us along… a wonder to behold and hear.” - Gerald Carpenter, The Independent, Santa Barbara, USA “From all perspectives this performance was the evening's perfection.” - Ian Dando - Christchurch Star “…a miracle of synergy and synchronicity…” - William Dart, NZ Herald NZTRIO: 2010 SOUTH ISLAND TOUR QUEENSTOWN - 6 October, 7.30pm at The Hills. Bookings: 409 8290 or jscott@thehills.co.nz BLENHEIM - 8 October, 6pm at Montana Brancott Estate. Bookings at Cellar Door Restaurant, Brancott Winery TIMARU - 9 October, 7.30pm at Chalmers Church. Bookings: Newmans Music Works,688 5597 or 0800 688 5579. AKAROA - 10 October, 4pm at Orion Powerhouse Gallery.

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