Five Lines is a collection of writings about music in Aotearoa New Zealand by Elizabeth Kerr. It features short articles, artist profiles and reviews of concerts, operas and albums. You can subscribe - it’s free - at the bottom of any story.
NZTrio: passionate music from “uncommon” composers
In NZTrio’s touring programme, “Untamed Hope”, they’ve chosen exhilarating repertoire to makes a telling point that no-one in the delighted audience can miss.
Aotango: shall we dance?
Aotango combines the word ‘Ao’, meaning ‘world’ in te reo Māori, with ‘tango’. This quintet of musicians who call Aotearoa home is presenting three concerts for International Tango Day 2024.
Lilburn Lecture 2024: The music critic: an endangered species in Aotearoa New Zealand?
In this SOUNZ film, you can experience the Lilburn Lecture 2024, presented by music critic and commentator Elizabeth Kerr. Her title was “The music critic: an endangered species in Aotearoa New Zealand?”
The Young Virtuosi: dazzling competition winners on tour
Competition winners Yeyeong Jenny Jin, violin, and Jeonghwan Kim, piano, have shown their virtuosity and musicianship in 11 concerts around New Zealand.
Wellington’s Bach Choir: back to the Baroque
The Bach Choir of Wellington presented an attractive programme of music by Bach, Corelli and Vivaldi with The Chiesa Ensemble at St Mary of the Angels Church.
Voices NZ’s ‘Horizons’: moving stories of migration
‘Horizons”, presented by Voices NZ, is a collaboration between Music Director Karen Grylls and Stage Director Jacqui Coats. The dazzling concert offers immersive musical storytelling about migration, trauma and homecoming.
NZSO Arias: operatic ‘greatest hits’ offers many pleasures
NZSO’s Arias concert delivered exactly what it promised - Puccini’s most popular arias, superbly sung by soprano Eliza Boom and tenor Paul O’Neill, with sensitive accompaniment by the NZSO under José Luis Gómez.
Calefax in Aotearoa: colourful conversations with reeds
Netherlands reed quintet Calefax delighted the audience on its current tour of New Zealand with impeccable, characterful and musicianly playing of music across four centuries.
TOWARDS MIDNIGHT: Percussionist Justin DeHart explores our unknown future
Percussionist Justin DeHart worked with five New Zealand composers for his second Rattle volume of New Zealand percussion music, TOWARDS MIDNIGHT.
Wellington Opera’s Tosca: brilliant casting and gripping pace
Wellington Opera's production of Puccini's Tosca pleased its opening night audience with a brilliant, all-New Zealand cast of singers, gripping momentum and a versatile, stylish design.
Composer Lyell Cresswell: truth, lies and a brilliant Piano Concerto
Stephen De Pledge is preparing to premiere Lyell Cresswell's final work, his Piano Concerto No 3, with the NZSO in four New Zealand cities. The composer's quirky autobiography will be launched before each concert.
Orpheus Choir and Haydn’s The Creation: fine singing and radiant music
Orpheus Choir Wellington provided a welcome opportunity to experience Haydn's The Creation, a work the composer and others believed was one of his greatest masterpieces.
From Scratch @ 50: 625 MOONS
The iconic New Zealand percussion ensemble From Scratch is celebrating its 50th birthday with a month-long residency.
NZSO Immerse: Vengerov plays Sibelius
Violinist Maxim Vengerov’s Sibelius Violin Concerto was a highlight of the NZSO’s Immerse Festival, under the sensitive baton of André de Ridder.
Somi Kim’s Pictures: virtuosity on full display
Somi Kim’s new album Pictures at an Exhibition pairs Mussorgsky’s piano masterpiece with a new work, Aotearoa Pictures, by New Zealand composer Janet Jennings.
STROMA: playing with light and colour
An imaginative, superbly played programme from new music ensemble STROMA shows the group is an essential part of our musical fabric.
Suite Aotearoa: magic woven from our natural world
Pianist Sharon Joy Vogan conceived, commissioned and performed the new works for the magical album, Suite Aotearoa, collaborating with taonga pūoro specialist Horomona Horo.
New Zealand piano music: walking with the birds
Pianist Jian Liu’s playing on his new 3-disc album of New Zealand piano music is lyrical and luminous, and full of respect for the music.
Orchestra Wellington and Marc Taddei: a story that ends in triumph
Orchestra Wellington and conductor Marc Taddei offered Beethoven’s triumphant 9th Symphony in a programme with context, novelty, and brilliance.
NZSO National Youth Orchestra: an exuberant musical showcase
The NZSO National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Tianyi Lu, offered a feast of exciting young talent, including dazzling piano prodigy Shan Liu