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.
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.
Music & Memory: a tribute concert for Barry Brickell
Music & Memory was a tribute concert for potter Barry Brickell, a remarkable event devised by Robert Oliver that linked 16th century music for viols, taonga pūoro, words and images to celebrate one of Aotearoa’s most original thinkers.
Gunter Herbig: seductive landscapes for guitar
Guitarist Gunter Herbig’s transition from classical to electric guitar filled him with a renewed sense of musical adventure.
A tale of two pianists
Two very different piano recitals by exciting young New Zealand pianists recently offered thought-provoking contrasts.
Fragments: music from New Zealand for classical guitar
Recordings of New Zealand music for classical guitar played by Matthew Marshall have been extracted from RNZ’s archives and given new life by this Rattle Echo release, Fragments.