Picture
​
Saturday 28 November – Michael Houstoun
Programme Notes
  • ​J.S. Bach ~ Partita No.4 in D, BWV828
    Bach - Busoni ~ Chaconne in D minor; 
    Beethoven ~  Adagio sostenuto from Sonata in B flat, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier";
    Beethoven ~ Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”; 
Review

Picture

Wednesday 7 October – NZTrio
​​Programme Notes
Beethoven – Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1 No. 3; 
Christos Hatzis – Old Photographs'; 
Salina Fisher – Kintsugi (new NZ work);
Dinuk Wijeratne – Love Triangle;
Ravel – Piano Trio in A minor.
Review

Flanked by beloved piano trios by Beethoven and Ravel, the heart of the programme comprises a new work by Salina Fisher and colourful works by two Juno Award-winning composers who have made Canada home. Greek-born Christos Hatzis' fiery dance-inspired Old Photographs contrasts with the sinuous Middle Eastern and North Indian melodies of Love Triangle by Sri-Lankan-born Dinuk Wijeratene.
Thursday 3 September – Aroha Quartet with Robert Orr 
​​Programme Notes
​Britten ~ Phantasy Quartet for Oboe and String Trio in F minor, Op. 2; 
Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 7 in F major, Op. 59 No. 1 “Rasumovsky”; 
Alex Taylor ~ Refrain for String Quartet; 
Bliss ~ Quintet for Oboe and String Quartet, Op. 44.
Review
The Aroha Quartet is joined by Robert Orr, NZSO Principal Oboe, for two British works by for oboe and strings: Britten's Phantasy Quartet Op 2, the first piece that brought him international recognition, and Bliss's gorgeous Oboe Quintet. The programme also celebrates the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth with his first 'Rasumovsky' quartet, the String Quartet No 7 in F, Op 59 No 1. The fourth work in this programme is 'refrain' by award-winning New Zealand composer Alex Taylor.
Picture

​Thursday 27 August  - Tennant-Austin Duo
​Programme Notes
  • Beethoven ~ Cello Sonata No.3 in A major, Op. 69 ;
  • John Psathas ~ Halo;
  • Chopin ~ Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65.
  • Review

This concert begins with the Beethoven cello sonata No.3 in A major, Op. 69, which the contemporary cellist Steven Isserlis describes as the first cello sonata in history to give the two instruments equal importance.

The pre-eminent New Zealand critic William Dart praised the duo in his New Zealand Herald review of the world premiere of John Psathas’ Halo for their “distinctive and authoritative voice” and ability to “fearlessly tackle” the power of this work.

The final work of the concert is Chopin Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65, was the last of Chopin's works to be published in his lifetime. In his preview of our 2020 season, Tony Ryan states that, for anyone who’s never heard it, it is a real gem. You’ll love it.
Picture

​Thursday 20 August – New Zealand String Quartet
Programme Notes
  • Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135; 
  • Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major Finale, Op. 130; 
  • Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132s.
  • Review
Picture

  Thursday 9 July – New Zealand String Quartet 
  Programme Notes
  •   Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 2 in G major, Op. 18 No. 2; 
  •   Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74 'Harp'; 
  •   Beethoven ~ String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 No. 2
  •   Review
  

Picture

Thursday 12 March – Michael Endres
Programme Notes
Haydn ~ Six easy Variations in C major, Hob XVII:5; 
Schoenberg ~ Six little piano pieces, Op .19; 
Beethoven ~ Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op. 57 “Appassionata”; 
Beethoven/Liszt ~ Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op 67
Review