This concert is based on the idea of composers as ‘architects of dreams’ — creatively assembling blocks of virtual sound material to form structures.

The programme features two world premieres from New Zealand composers: Dream Compass by Chris Cree Brown, I write and chew and crack my bones and think about hospitality by Ihlara McIndoe.

Dream Compass attempts to navigate musical material in a similar way to a sleeper steering a dream; I write and chew and crack my bones and think about hospitality is a critique of the ‘social and bureaucratic microcosm in which our art germinates and manifests itself’. Also on the programme is the NZ premiere of Reuben Jelleyman’s Klein Fountain, nominated for the 2021 SOUNZ Contemporary Prize, an homage to Felix Klein who conceived of the Klein Bottle, and ‘imaginary object’ that represents a 4D topology. Klein Fountain evokes the imaginary flow of water through such a bottle in an inventive, sonically brilliant manner.

Rounding out the concert are sumptuous works by leading international composers Charlotte Bray and Anna Thorvaldsdottir, plus two tributes to Greek composer Iannis Xenakis, whose 100th anniversary we celebrate in 2022.

FEATURING

Barbara Paterson (soprano)

Hamish McKeich (conductor)

PROGRAMME

IANNIS XENAKIS (GR) — Rebonds A for solo percussion

CHRIS CREE BROWN (NZ) — Dream Compass for mixed ensemble (premiere)

IHLARA McINDOE (NZ) — I write and chew and crack my bones and think about hospitality for soprano and mixed ensemble (premiere)

REUBEN JELLEYMAN (NZ) — Klein Fountain for flute, violin, percussion and piano (NZ premiere)

GEMMA PEACOCKE (NZ) — New work for ensemble and soprano (premiere) 

ANNA THORVALSDOTTIR (ICE) — Spectra for ensemble (NZ premiere)

IANNIS XENAKIS (GR) — Dhipli Zyia for violin and cello

This concert supported by Creative New Zealand, Lilburn Trust, Stout Trust and the Wellington City Council.

EXPLORE OUR GALLERIES OF SOUND.

This is no ordinary concert — you’ll ‘choose your own adventure’ by exploring the beautiful spaces of Toi Art at Te Papa (Levels 4 & 5) while Stroma performances multiple, simultaneous performances of ambient, spatial music throughout the evening.

Spread over 2½ hours, you can come and go as you please. Have a drink at the bar, then wander around the spaces to experience the sound events. Follow the schedule, or see where your ear takes you. If you position yourself right, you might even hear two or three pieces at the same time. If you miss a piece the first time, you can catch it again later in the evening.

Throughout the evening, Stroma will be performing experimental works by renowned composers such as John Cage, Pauline Oliveros, James Tenney and Alvin Lucier, as well as a selection of works by New Zealand composers. Low-level ambient sonic art by Wellington-based sonic artists will be also performed, mingling with the acoustic sounds of Stroma.

FEATURING A CURATED SET OF SPATIAL/AMBIENT WORKS BY JOHN CAGE, PAULINE OLIVEROS, JAMES TENNEY, ALVIN LUCIER, PETER ABLINGER, PLUS OTHER WORKS BY NZ COMPOSERS AND SONIC ARTISTS — PERFORMED IN MULTIPLE SPACES SIMULTANEOUSLY OVER THE COURSE OF 3 HOURS.

MORE DETAILED PROGRAMMES WILL BE RELEASED LATER IN THE YEAR

This concert supported by Creative New Zealand, Lilburn Trust, Stout Trust and the Wellington City Council.

Celebrating what Stroma is all about: big, bold sounds and compelling musical experiences, featuring commissions from leading New Zealand composers Linda Dallimore, Karlo Margetić, Dylan Lardelli and Kerian Varaine, plus Xenakis's stonking ensemble work Anaktoria.

PROGRAMME

LINDA DALLIMORE (NZ) — New work for ensemble (premiere)

DYLAN LARDELLI (NZ) — New work for ensemble (NZ premiere)

CHARLOTTE BRAY (UK) — Renga Miniatures for ensemble (NZ premiere)

KERIAN VARAINE (NZ) — AN DOOR for electric bass and ensemble (premiere)

KARLO MARGETIĆ (NZ) — Bricks and Mortar for ensemble (NZ premiere)

IANNIS XENAKIS (GR) — Anaktoria for ensemble

This concert supported by Creative New Zealand, Lilburn Trust, Stout Trust and the Wellington City Council.