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.
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.
Michael Houstoun plays Brahms: miniature marvels
Pianist Michael Houstoun marks his 70th birthday with an album from Rattle of Brahms’ intermezzi. He says this introspective music “fits with an older player’s psyche.”
The Strangest of Angels: a psychological operatic drama
A new opera, The Strangest of Angels, was created by an innovative collaborative process and explores mental health issues.
Optimistic notes
Composer Anthony Ritchie’s 5th Symphony, “Childhood”, looks forward with optimism. It’s now on a beautifully packaged CD.
A brighter shade of blue
Brighter than Blue is an elegant new CD perfect for summertime listening.
RATTLE ECHO: re-discovering the past
Steve Garden is launching Rattle Echo, revisiting and re-imagining sounds recorded in the past.