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.
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.
We need to talk about chamber music
As Chamber Music NZ attempts to broaden the definition of chamber music, audience members are concerned the organisation has lost its way. What’s the essence of chamber music? Is “music up close” enough?
Voices New Zealand: Mozart’s Requiem tells a tragic story
In Mozart Reimagined: Requiem, created for Voices New Zealand by Robert Wiremu, the tragic Antarctic aircraft crash on Mt Erebus is remembered in a profoundly moving concert.
Sonoro Quartet with Tony Chen Lin: a fresh approach to beloved music
The Sonoro Quartet with pianist Tony Chen Lin is touring Aotearoa at the moment. Their excitingly fresh and bold approach to their programme of Schubert and Schumann is delighting audiences.
Van Diemen’s Band: a baroque ensemble crosses borders
The Tasmanian Baroque ensemble, Van Diemen’s Band, brought an intriguing boundary-crossing programme called Borderlands to New Zealand for a Chamber Music New Zealand tour.
Barley and De Pledge: Dream team
Matthew Barley and Stephen de Pledge are currently touring Aotearoa for Chamber Music New Zealand with a programme of Beethoven, Brahms and other “interesting stuff”.
Music of Aotearoa
A 1999 work for taonga pūoro and flute has inspired a new generation of composers.
Musical soulmates
Melanie Lançon, Bede Hanley and Stephen de Pledge are on a ten-centre tour for Chamber Music NZ with a trio programme called “Fantasy and Romance”.
Nocturnal pleasures
In pianist Jian Liu’s touring recital “Nocturnes” the choice of music is as well-judged as his fine playing.
Transfigured Night – from saucy games to passionate desire
Chamber Music New Zealand’s Transfigured Night tour with the New Zealand String Quartet and BalletCollective Aotearoa is not your average chamber music concert.
Dancing through adversity
A sextet tours for Chamber Music NZ with a programme of light-hearted 1920’s music that invites reflection on troubled times.