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.
The Adam Festival: chamber music heaven
Audiences from around Aotearoa, Australia and elsewhere gathered in Nelson for the star-studded lineup of chamber musicians at the biennial Adam Festival.
NZ String Quartet: Unique counterpoints of Aotearoa
In their new album Notes from a journey ll, Te Haerenga, the New Zealand String Quartet continues its journey through the music of Aotearoa.
Woven Pathways: the NZ String Quartet reflects on the human experience
The concerts of the NZ String Quartet’s national tour, Woven Pathways, showed the power of a string quartet to explore emotions and experiences.
New Zealand String Quartet: the wearing of the green
The New Zealand String Quartet collaborated with Irish composer and musician Dave Flynn for a joyous programme on St Patrick’s Day.
NZ String Quartet: Into the light
The New Zealand String Quartet is on the road again around New Zealand, presenting the imaginative programmes of its First Light tour in sixteen concerts.
NZ String Quartet: subtlety and flair
The New Zealand String Quartet’s National Tour 2021 took two well-crafted programmes around the country, sharing the variety of contrasting characters the ensemble can play.
Richard Nunns - breathing life into singing treasures
A personal tribute to Richard Nunns, pioneering specialist in performance on taonga pūoro, who died this month.
Janáček – the power of love
NZ String Quartet brings us the power and colour of Janáček’s two romantic works The Kreutzer Sonata and Intimate Letters on their latest CD.
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.
Celebrating chamber music in Nelson
The Adam Chamber Music Festival in Nelson held a shorter Summer Celebration this year that joined musicians and audiences in a party atmosphere.
A deep dive into Beethoven’s String Quartets
In spite of the challenges of 2020, the New Zealand String Quartet has been able to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday with a major series of concerts.
A psychiatrist, a composer and a string quartet
Composer Louise Webster was by herself for the recent world premiere of her string quartet, This memory of earth.