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Chamber Music New Zealand launches 2008 season

Chamber Music New Zealand's 2008 Concert Season programme features a mix of new artists and return visits by favourite performers at venues in ten centres throughout New Zealand.

Chamber Music New Zealand Chief Executive Euan Murdoch says the organisation strives to make the live intimacy of chamber music accessible across the length and breadth of the country.

"Next year, we're presenting 58 individual concerts across ten centres," he says. "The programme includes chamber music in its fullest sense: from the tautness of the traditional piano trio and string quartet to the fluidity, diversity and drama of lieder, songs, arias and early music."

The season begins in March with a return tour by Vienna's Eggner Trio, performing a programme that includes Wellington composer John Psathas' Island Songs. The Eggner Trio will perform in all ten centres: Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill.

In April, Alexa Still, former principal flute with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, returns to New Zealand with two United States-based colleagues: world-renowned harpist Yolanda Kondonassis and Roger Chase on viola.

The season continues with concerts by Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2007 winner Bella Hristova and New Zealand emerging star soprano Anna Leese.

Firm favourites the Takács and Jerusalem Quartets return to New Zealand, while Romanian Tamas Vesmas celebrates the 25th anniversary of his arrival in New Zealand with a September tour of six centres.

In October, Baroque Voices and Phantastic Spirits present Love Is In The Ayre, a collection of 17th and early 18th century instrumental and vocal music.

The 2008 season ends with a major highlight: the much-awaited return visit of celebrated early-music ensemble Hespèrion XXI led by the legendary Jordi Savall.

 

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Creative New Zealand supports Chamber Music New Zealand with three-year funding ($654,000 per year from 2007 to 2009) for its annual programme of activities.

Email for the 2008 Concert Season programme brochure