• 2026

    Different Trains brings together three landmark works of American minimalism that explore time and memory, accompanied by film.

    The programme begins with Steve Reich’s groundbreaking 1988 work Different Trains, which was composed using speech recordings to generate material for musical instruments. Described by the New York Times as “a work of such astonishing originality that breakthrough seems the only possible description”, the music is accompanied Beatriz Caravaggio’s film, which she created in response to Reich’s composition and was described by Reich himself as a “brilliant multi channel video… which really works as something to watch on its own and as a way to intensify listening to Different Trains".

    Philip Glass’s String Quartet No. 3 (‘Mishima’) was originally written to accompany the film Mishima, but later became a concert piece in its own right. Here its flowing, looping harmonies accompany the incredible experimental images of French filmmaker Man Ray’s surrealist short film Emak-Bakia.

    The programme finishes with Terry Riley’s composition In C, described by Gustav Dumadel (LA Phil) as a “revolutionary” work that’s closer to rock and jazz than classical musical, creating a gradually shifting tapestry of melodic fragments. The work is accompanied by real-time visuals responding to sound, created by Wellington artist Zoë Bell.

    PROGRAMME

    Steve Reich Different Trains (with film by Beatriz Caravaggio)

    Philip Glass String Quartet No. 3 ‘Mishima’ (accompanying Man Ray’s Emak-Bakia)

    Terry Riley In C (accompanied by live visuals by Zoë Bell)

    Different Trains

    , Wellington Cathedral

    SoundCathedral (after the Sibylline Prophecies) is a 76-minute immersive performance installation by Michael Norris, created for the 40th anniversary of The Tudor Consort and premiered at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts 2026. Conceived as a “loving deconstruction” of Orlando di Lasso’s Prophetiae Sibyllarum (c.1550), the work explores the prophetic, harmonically adventurous world of these motets through a contemporary spatial and sonic lens.

    Bringing together three of Wellington’s top ensembles, The Tudor Consort, Stroma and the Rangatuone Ensemble (taonga puoro), the piece unfolds as a sequence of 15 sections, each forming a unique textural and gestural environment. While the instrumental writing is newly invented, all choral material is drawn directly from Lassus’s original motets, which are stretched, fragmented and reimagined across time and space. Beginning with a karakia and karanga, the singers process through the cathedral before the work expands into shimmering, whirling, oscillating and resonant soundworlds. SoundCathedral seeks to evoke the sublime and the ethereal, immersing listeners in a vast, luminous ocean of sound that bridges centuries.

    FEATURING

    The Tudor Consort (cond. Michael Stewart)

    The Rangatuone Ensemble (cond. Riki Pirihi)

    Stroma

    The Bellringers of Wellington Cathedral

     

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris & Orlando di Lasso • SoundCathedral (after the Sibylline Prophecies) (76 min.)

     

    SoundCathedral
  • 2025

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    Celebrating 25 years of exploring new musical worlds.

    Heaven & Earth marks 25 years of Stroma’s fearless exploration of sound and spirit since our inaugural concert Wind, Rain & Light in August 2000. We recall the theme of that first concert by similarly evoking musical impressions of the earth below and the sky above. Featuring a world premiere by New York-based NZ composer Leila Adu-Gilmore, the programme includes Olivier Messiaen’s ecstatic Louange à l’immortalité de Jésus, Gemma Peacocke’s Sky Fields, John Rimmer’s Where Sea Meets Sky 2, Michael Norris’s new piano trio The Spaces In Between, and—to mark the recent passing of Sofia Gubaidulina—her meditative Garden of Joy and Sorrow. Come join us in celebrating a quarter century of intrepid sonic exploration from the musicians of Stroma.

    PROGRAMME

    Olivier Messiaen: Louange a l’immortalité de Jésus

    Gemma Peacocke: Sky Fields

    John Rimmer: Where Sea Meets Sky 2

    Leila Adu-Gilmore: Commissioned work (premiere)

    Sofia Gubaidulina: Garden of Joy and Sorrow

    Michael Norris: The Spaces In Between

    Heaven & Earth

    , Downstage Theatre , Wellington

    Kaua e mate wheke, mate ururoa | Don’t die like an octopus, die like a hammerhead shark.

    A true story of the heroism and humiliation of Captain Roger Dansey, a Māori soldier on the frontline of a European war, Mate Ururoa is an urgent new chamber opera from legendary New Zealand composer Dame Gillian Whitehead (Ngai Te Rangi, Tuhoe). With the originally planned 2021 premiere at New York’s Carnegie Hall cancelled due to the pandemic, Wellington Opera is proud to present the world premiere of this important new work by one of Aotearoa’s greatest living artists here in Pōneke. Performed in English and te reo Māori by Māori-American baritone David Tahere alongside acclaimed taonga pūoro practitioner and mezzo Ariana Tikao, with director Sara Brodie.

    Mate Ururoa

    Experimental cinema reimagined with contemporary sounds.

    As part of the 2025 midwinter Lōemis Festival, Anemic Cinema conjures up the surrealist spirit of early avant-garde film by matching experimental films with contemporary live scores played with panache by Stroma. Highlights include two world premieres: Len Lye’s primordial Tusalava with newly imagined score by Andrew Faleatua featuring Pacific drums, and David Long’s dazzling take on David Downes’s hypnotic animation Fish, Moon. In addition, composers Olga Neuwirth, Iris ter Schiphorst, Yannis Kyriakides and Feona Lee Jones breathe new life into well-known classics of early experimental cinema by Luis Buñuel, Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, Marc Allégret, Maya Deren and Viking Eggeling. This concert sees sound and image collide in ecstatic abstraction — come join us at the Roxy for a night to remember.

    PROGRAMME

    Andrew Faleatua: Tusalava (premiere) — film by Len Lye

    David Long: Fish, Moon (premiere) — film by David Downes

    Yannis Kyriakides: Anémic Cinéma — film by Marcel Duchamp/Man Ray/Marc Allégret

    Feona Lee Jones: String Quartet No. 2 “Adrenaline” — film by Maya Deren

    Iris ter Schiphorst: Un Chien Andalou — film by Luis Buñuel/Salvador Dalí

    Olga Neuwirth: Symphonie Diagonale — film by Viking Eggeling

    Anemic Cinema

    TWO SHOWS: , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    Two of Wellington’s most beloved musical ensembles, Stroma and The Jac, join forces to explore the hinterlands where jazz and classical music collide. Featuring works by New Zealand’s own compositional talents Callum Allardice, Justin ‘Firefly’ Clarke, Lucy Mulgan and Jasmine Lovell-Smith, together with top international names in experimental jazz and electropop, Anthony Braxton, Carla Bley, Anna Webber and Laurie Anderson.

    FEATURING

    The Jac

    Barbara Paterson

    PROGRAMME

    Callum Allardice A Gathering

    Justin ‘Firefly’ Clarke The Curious Flight of the Fledgling Chalkydri (world premiere)

    Anthony Braxton Composition 142

    Lucy Mulgan In opera this'd be an overture but it's not so it isn't (world premiere)

    Laurie Anderson From the Air

    Anna Webber Idiom VI (Movement 5)

    Jasmine Lovell-Smith Cerulean Haze

    Carla Bley Awful Coffee

    A GATHERING: THE JAC + STROMA
  • 2024

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    Kaleidoscopes of refracted colour burst from the page, in this prismatic concert of luminous music. A world premiere by NZ/Canadian composer Nicholas Denton Protsack sits alongside meditative music by his compatriots R Murray Schafer and John Luther Adams, renowned for capturing the shifting colours of their wild northern landscapes. Other works in the light-themed programme are by NZ composer Leila Adu-Gilmore, Daniela Terranova (Italy) and Bree Van Ryk (Australia), rounded out by the dazzling final work Grammar of Dreams by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.

    PROGRAMME

    Leila Adu-Gilmore (NZL) — Alyssum

    R Murray Schafer (CAN) — String quartet No. 2: Waves

    Nicholas Denton Protsack (NZL/CAN) — A Gleaming Thing (PREMIERE)

    John Luther Adams (CAN) — The Light Within

    Daniela Terranova (ITA)— Rainbow Dust in the Sky

    Bree Van Reyk (AUS) — Light for the First Time

    Kaija Saariaho (FIN) — Grammaire des reves (Grammar of Dreams)

     

    The Light Within

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington

    CHOOSE YOUR OWN (SONIC) ADVENTURE. AGAIN.

    Following the acclaimed ‘performance installation’ at Te Papa in 2023, Stroma return to play multiple, simultaneous performances of ambient, spatial music in the gorgeous gallery spaces of City Gallery Wellington. The centrepiece is a new work by Riki Gooch, Poutama, a work in four parts for improvising taonga puoro ensemble blending with the sounds of Stroma’s musicians.

    Throughout the evening, surround yourself in meditative, hypnotic works by composers such as Salina Fisher, Hildur Guðnadóttir, John Luther Adams, Pauline Oliveros, Dai Fujikura, James Tenney, Jonathan Harvey, Alex Turley, Michael Norris, Salvatore Sciarrino and, of course, John Cage. 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. 

    FEATURING

    Riki Gooch and Rangatuone Ensemble (taonga puoro): Te Kahureremoa Taumata, Dr Ruby Solly, Komako Silver, Māia-te-oho Holman-Wharehoka, Al Fraser

    Salina Fisher (koto)

    PROGRAMME

    Riki Gooch — Poutama: 12 Steps of Ascension (PREMIERE)

    Salina Fisher — woman 女 beneath a wave 波

    Pauline Oliveros — A Fluting Moment, Antiphonal Meditation, Heart of Tones, Rock Piece

    Michael Norris — Cirrus Drift

    Hildur Guðnadóttir — From the other place

    John Luther Adams — Canticles of the Sky, Roar

    James Tenney — Harmonium #1 , Harmonium #7, Saxony

    Alex Turley — Cloudscapes

    John Cage — Five & One4

    Salvatore Sciarrino — L’addio a Trachis

    Felipe Lara — Meditation and Calligraphy

    Toshio Ichiyanagi — Still Time III

    Jonathan Harvey — Still

    Dai Fujikura — Harahara & Inkling

    Cage Against the Machine 2: Poutama
  • 2023

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    EXUBERANT, JOYFUL MUSIC TO CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING!

    From the patterns and permutations of György Ligeti and Carola Bauckholt, to the luscious tonal landscapes of Nina C. Young and Missy Mazzoli, there will be something for everyone. New Zealand composers are featured through a memorial to Lyell Cresswell and a world premiere by outstanding young composer Micah Thompson.

    PROGRAMME

    Lyell Cresswell Fogli Rugginosi for ensemble

    Carola Bauckholt Treibstoff for ensemble

    György Ligeti Balada si Joc for two violins

    György Ligeti Wind Quintet

    Micah Thompson Speaking Music for ensemble (world premiere)

    Nina C. Young Memento Mori for string quartet

    Missy Mazzoli Ecstatic Science for large ensemble

    Ecstatic Science

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE SOLOISTS OF STROMA.

    An intimate evening of poignant and compelling ‘musical conversations’, featuring tributes to recently passed composers Jenny McLeod and Kaija Saariaho, alongside three works by the next generation of New Zealand composers, and a work by lesser-known Canadian composer Norma Beecroft. The programme features two world premieres: and finding air between us by Marcus Jackson and Waipu by David Mason. It will also be the chance to hear Liam Furey’s Disturbances III: Light composed last year, which creates a parallel between the way that matter and energy interact with each other and the musical interferences and disturbances present in the score

    PROGRAMME

    Marcus Jackson and finding air between us for ensemble

    David Mason Waipu for ensemble

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu for bass flute and cello

    Norma Beecroft Face à Face for two amplified bass flutes and percussion

    Liam Furey Disturbances III: Light for clarinet, viola and piano

    Jenny McLeod Seascapes for violin, cello and piano

    Face to Face

    , Toi Art, Level 4, Te Papa

    EXPLORE OUR GALLERIES OF SOUND.

    Featuring Jerome Kavanagh Poutama (taonga puoro), and a guest saxophone quartet.

    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 plays 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.

    Centred around the current exhibition from the Mataaho Collective, Stroma will be performing experimental works by renowned composers such as Pauline Oliveros, John Cage, James Tenney and Tom Johnson, as well as a selection of works by New Zealand composers. Low-level ambient sonic art by Wellington-based sonic artists will mingle with the acoustic sounds of Stroma, while prominent taonga puoro musician Jerome Kavanagh Poutama will respond musically to the artworks’ kaupapa.

    Works included in the concert:

    • John Cage Four for string quartet
    • John Cage 4'33"
    • John Cage Solo for Voice 13, 26 & 49
    • John Cage Aria
    • John Cage Four5
    • John Cage Five
    • John Cage Typewriter Music
    • John Cage In a Landscape
    • John Cage Dream
    • John Cage Radio Music
    • Ruth Crawford Seeger III from String Quartet 1931
    • Eve de Castro-Robinson Whisper
    • Eve de Castro-Robinson Whorl
    • Julius Eastman Joy Boy
    • Simon Eastwood The Spindle of Necessity
    • Tom Johnson Rational Melodies I, III, IV, X
    • Alvin Lucier I am sitting in a room
    • Rachael Morgan Interiors II
    • Michael Norris Prolation Canon on an Ancient Hurrian Hymn
    • Pauline Oliveros 70 Chords for Terry
    • Pauline Oliveros From Unknown Silences
    • Pauline Oliveros A Fluting Moment
    • Frederic Rzewski To the Earth
    • Giacinto Scelsi Maknongan
    • James Tenney Beast
    • James Tenney In a large, reverberant space
    • James Tenney Saxony
    • James Tenney Critical Band
    • James Tenney Shimmer
    • James Tenney Cellogram
    • James Tenney August Harp
    • James Tenney Swell Piece for Alison Knowles
    • James Tenney On Never Having Written a Note for Percussion
    • La Monte Young Composition 1960 #7

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

    Cage Against The Machine
  • 2022

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    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 Charlotte Bray's expressive Renga Miniatures and Iannis Xenakis's stonking ensemble work Anaktoria.

    PROGRAMME

    LINDA DALLIMORE (NZ) — Everything Feels Different Now for ensemble (premiere)

    DYLAN LARDELLI (NZ) — Glow Close 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.

    Bold Sounds

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    Dream Architects features three 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 and A Memory by Gemma Peacocke.

    Dream Compass by Chris Cree Brown 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 by Ihlara McIndoe is a critique of the ‘social and bureaucratic microcosm in which our art germinates and manifests itself’, while A Memory by Gemma Peacocke is a setting of a poem of the same name by Irish-born New Zealand-American anarchist and modernist poet Lola Ridge.

    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 architecture’ 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 works by Anna Thorvaldsdottir and Iannis Xenakis, the latter's 100th anniversary being celebrated 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.

    Dream Architects

    TWO SHOWS: , Whistling Sisters , Wellington

    Join Stroma on Wellington’s famous 'classical crawl', Classical on Cuba for a short half-hour 'taster menu’ of contrasting styles and energies. Featuring four of our top soloists— Anna van der Zee, Bridget Douglas, Thomas Guldborg and Ken Ichinose—this concert includes two works for vocalising flutist (by Toru Takemitsu and Michael Norris), gorgeous duos with percussion (by Salina Fisher and Gareth Farr), plus an exciting tribute to Greek composer Iannis Xenakis, whose 100th anniversary was in May.

    PROGRAMME

    TORU TAKEMITSU (JAP) — Voice for vocalising flutist

    SALINA FISHER (NZ) — Komorebi for violin and vibraphone

    GARETH FARR (NZ) — Kembang Suling (Mvt I) for flute and marimba

    MICHAEL NORRIS (NZ) — Piccled for vocalising piccolo player

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

    Stroma @ Classical on Cuba
  • 2021

    , Public Trust Hall , Wellington

    In 2021 we will celebrate the end of our 20th anniversary season with a concert featuring some of our favourite music and composers, including a repeat performance of Stroma's original commission from Jenny McLeod, entitled 'Cat Dreams', in honour of her 80th birthday. Also hear NZ premieres of works by Salina Fisher and Michael Norris, two favourites from Saariaho and Berio, and a guest appearance by Wellington taonga puoro legend Al Fraser in his luminous collaboration with composer Simon Eastwood.

    FEATURING

    Alistair Fraser (taonga puoro)

    Bridget Douglas (flute)

    PROGRAMME

    Jenny McLeod Cat Dreams for mixed ensemble

    Salina Fisher Lumina for mixed ensemble

    Kaija Saariaho Terreste for flute and ensemble

    Simon Eastwood and Alistair Fraser Te Aitanga Pepeke for taonga puoro and ensemble

    Luciano Berio Ricorrenze for wind quintet

    Michael Norris Gyri for mixed ensemble

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

    20th Anniversary Concert

    , Pyramid Club , Wellington

    (This is the second of two repeat performances on the same evening — the first, at 7pm, is listed above)

    Back by popular demand, Stroma explores the hip laneways of musical experimentalism. Composed theatre, musical bodies, comic strips, bandaging and a bit of Laura Branigan will star in this offbeat, set of works that you will be thinking about long after the show is over.

    FEATURING

    Barbara Paterson (soprano)

    Elliot Vaughan & Marcus Jackson (performers)

    PROGRAMME

    Cathy Berberian Stripsody for for soprano

    Yoko Ono Wrapping music for for ensemble and wrappers

    Jessie Marino Rot Blau for for two performers

    Alvin Lucier 'Clarinet' from Still and Moving Lines of Silence in Families of Hyperbolas for for clarinet and sound

    James Tenney Having Never Written a Note for Percussion for for tam-tam

    Julius Eastman Joy Boy for for four instruments

    Elliot Vaughan Futures Past for for mixed ensemble

    Essential Experimental 2 (Performance 2)

    , Pyramid Club , Wellington

    (This is the first of two repeat performances on the same evening — the second, at 8:30pm, is listed below)

    Back by popular demand, Stroma explores the hip laneways of musical experimentalism. Composed theatre, musical bodies, comic strips, bandaging and a bit of Laura Branigan will star in this offbeat, set of works that you will be thinking about long after the show is over.

    FEATURING

    Barbara Paterson (soprano)

    Elliot Vaughan & Marcus Jackson (performers)

    PROGRAMME

    Cathy Berberian Stripsody for for soprano

    Yoko Ono Wrapping music for for ensemble and wrappers

    Jessie Marino Rot Blau for for two performers

    Alvin Lucier 'Clarinet' from Still and Moving Lines of Silence in Families of Hyperbolas for for clarinet and sound

    James Tenney Having Never Written a Note for Percussion for for tam-tam

    Julius Eastman Joy Boy for for four instruments

    Elliot Vaughan Futures Past for for mixed ensemble


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

    Essential Experimental 2 (Performance 1)

    , The Heyday Dome at Bats , Wellington

    (This is the second of the performances of Idiosyncrophilia — the first, above, is at 5:30pm)

    Welcome to the quirky, curious world of Neil Feather's invented instruments. Surrounded by a mesmerising soundscape composed by Rosie Langabeer, the instruments — with names such as 'The Wiggler', 'Nondo' and 'Magnapooters' — whizz, whirr and crunch under the spotlight. A triumph of handmade analogue technology, these deliciously idiosyncratic instruments are made from materials such as cigar boxes, hacked-up guitars and vibrators. Come experience Idiosyncrophilia — a 45-minute semi-improvised soundscape. Immerse yourself in sonic invention!

    FEATURING

    Neil Feather, Erika Grant & Dan Beban (invented instrument performers)

    PROGRAMME

    Rosie Langabeer • Idiosyncrophilia: Suite for Invented Instruments

    Idiosyncrophilia (Performance 2)

    , The Heyday Dome at Bats , Wellington

    (This is the first of the performances of Idiosyncrophilia — the second, below, is at 7pm)

    Welcome to the quirky, curious world of Neil Feather's invented instruments. Surrounded by a mesmerising soundscape composed by Rosie Langabeer, the instruments — with names such as 'The Wiggler', 'Nondo' and 'Magnapooters' — whizz, whirr and crunch under the spotlight. A triumph of handmade analogue technology, these deliciously idiosyncratic instruments are made from materials such as cigar boxes, hacked-up guitars and vibrators. Come experience Idiosyncrophilia — a 45-minute semi-improvised soundscape. Immerse yourself in sonic invention!

    FEATURING

    Neil Feather, Erika Grant & Dan Beban (invented instrument performers)

    PROGRAMME

    Rosie Langabeer • Idiosyncrophilia: Suite for Invented Instruments


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

    Idiosyncrophilia (Performance 1)
  • 2019

    , New Zealand Portrait Gallery , Wellington

    An evening of intimate chamber music, with five exciting composers from NZ and overseas, in the beautiful surroundings of the New Zealand Portrait Gallery. With guest soloists French cello virtuoso Séverine Ballon and Wellington-based taonga puoro legend Alistair Fraser, this concert also features the evocative masterwork Rain Coming by legendary Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu.

    FEATURING

    Séverine Ballon (cello)

    Alistair Fraser (taonga puoro)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Salina Fisher • Kingfisher (NZ premiere)

    Rebecca Saunders • Ire (NZ premiere)

    Liza Lim • An Ocean Beyond Earth (NZ premiere)

    Ashley Fure • Soma (NZ premiere)

    Alistair Fraser & Simon Eastwood • New Work (world premiere)

    Toru Takemitsu • Water Ways

    Sonic Portraits

    , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    A rich collection of works inspired by non-Western musical traditions from around the world, including the unforgettable song cycle, Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs, sung by outstanding New Zealand soprano Bianca Andrew, the world premiere of a work by John Psathas, and the NZ premiere of An Overture devised by Celeste Oram, Rob Thorne, Ludwig van Beethoven and ensemble. These works feature the violin of US virtuoso Keir GoGwilt and the taonga puoro of Rob Thorne and Alistair Fraser.

    FEATURING

    Bianca Andrew (mezzo-soprano)

    Keir GoGwilt (violin)

    Alistair Fraser (taonga puoro)

    Rob Thorne (taonga puoro)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Luciano Berio • Folk songs

    Julia Wolfe • Reeling (NZ premiere)

    John Psathas • Irirangi (Meditation) (world premiere)

    Jack Body • Bouyi

    Anna Clyne • A wonderful day (NZ premiere)

    An Overture (NZ premiere) devised by Celeste Oram, Rob Thorne, Ludwig van Beethoven, and ensemble

    Voices of the World

    , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    An evocative evening of chamber music evoking the sea and sky. Sometimes quiet and contemplative, sometimes tempestuous and stormy, Stroma performs six works from around the world are inspired by the natural environment. The concert also celebrates the iconic works of one of New Zealand’s most experienced, senior composers, John Rimmer, who celebrates his 80th birthday in 2019.

    Rimmer’s piece, Where Sea Meets Sky 2, originally written in 1975, was inspired by a trans-Tasman plane journey, in which the composer was entranced by the qualities of light and play when looking out of his window at the horizon of the Tasman Sea. Deirdre Gribbin’s dark and mesmerising string quartet, What the Whaleship Saw, is based on the gruesome story of survival and cannibalism amongst the crew of the Nantucket whaler, the Essex, after it was wrecked by a whale. Also featured is the iconic brass work Fog Tropes by Ingram Marshall, which featured in the soundtrack to the feature film Shutter Island. Other works in the concert include the luminous shades of 13 Couleurs du Soleil Couchant (13 Colours of the Setting Sun) by Tristan Murail, the hypnotic minimalism of Reflections by young Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, and the evocative bass flute and harp work Pearls of the Sea by Eve de Castro-Robinson.

    There will be a pre-concert at the venue Q&A at 6:45pm, with John Rimmer and Michael Norris.

    FEATURING

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Tristan Murail • Treize couleurs du soleil couchant (NZ premiere)

    Eve de Castro-Robinson • Pearls of the Sea

    Anna Thorvaldsdottir • Reflections (NZ premiere)

    John Rimmer • Where Sea Meets Sky 2

    Ingram Marshall • Fog tropes (NZ premiere)

    Deirdre Gribbin • what the whaleship saw (NZ premiere)

    Where Sea Meets Sky
  • 2018

    , Pyramid Club , Wellington

    Immerse yourself in the music of composers who redefined the very boundaries of music. An intimate evening of song, water, glass, harmonics, beat frequencies & vases.  Featuring music by Alvin Lucier, James Tenney, John Cage, Chiyoko Szlavnics, Peter Ablinger and Antonia Barnett-McIntosh.

    FEATURING

    Barbara Paterson (voice)

    Antonia Barnett-McIntosh (voice)

    Ken Ichinose (cello)

    PROGRAMME

    John Cage (US) • Aria

    Peter Ablinger (GER) • Weiss / Weisslich 31e for water and glass tubes

    Chiyoko Szlavnics (CAN) • Triptych for AS

    Alvin Lucier (US) • Music for Cello with One or More Amplified Vases

    James Tenney (US) • ‘Shimmer’ from Glissade

    Antonia Barnett-Mcintosh (NZ) • New work for voices

    Essential Experimental (9pm show)

    , Pyramid Club , Wellington

    Immerse yourself in the music of composers who redefined the very boundaries of music. An intimate evening of song, water, glass, harmonics, beat frequencies & vases.  Featuring music by Alvin Lucier, James Tenney, John Cage, Chiyoko Szlavnics, Peter Ablinger and Antonia Barnett-McIntosh.

    FEATURING

    Barbara Paterson (voice)

    Antonia Barnett-McIntosh (voice)

    Ken Ichinose (cello)

    PROGRAMME

    John Cage (US) • Aria

    Peter Ablinger (GER) • Weiss / Weisslich 31e for water and glass tubes

    Chiyoko Szlavnics (CAN) • Triptych for AS

    Alvin Lucier (US) • Music for Cello with One or More Amplified Vases

    James Tenney (US) • ‘Shimmer’ from Glissade

    Antonia Barnett-Mcintosh (NZ) • New work for voices

    Essential Experimental (7pm show)

    , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    Join us to celebrate 125 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand, in this concert of dynamic and diverse new works by women composers from New Zealand and Australia. Stroma will perform the music of Jasmine Lovell-Smith, Sarah Ballard, Alison Isadora, Antonia Barnett-McIntosh, Eve de Castro-Robinson and Lisa Illean in a high-octane cross-genre and cross-cultural collaboration with leading jazz octet The Jac, soprano Barbara Paterson, and a quartet of players of traditional Indian instruments.

    FEATURING

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    Barbara Paterson (soprano)

    The Jac (jazz octet)

    Swami Madhuram Puri (bansuri)

    Laurence Baker (harmonium + voice)

    Pavla Charapovova (karatalas)

    Thomas Vine (mridanga)

    PROGRAMME

    Eve de Castro-Robinson (NZ) • Quiet at her window for soprano and ensemble

    Lisa Illean (AUS) • Cantor for soprano and ensemble

    Alison Isadora (NZ/NL) • Stemmen

    Sarah Ballard (NZ) • Paramātmā for Indian musicians and ensemble

    Jasmine Lovell-Smith (NZ) • New work for jazz octet and ensemble

    Antonia Barnett-Mcintosh (NZ) • New work

    VOX FEM

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington

    The revolution is here! Prepare yourself for big works and bold sounds from some of the most iconic ‘sonic revolutionists’ of the twentieth century — Witold Lutoslawski, György Ligeti, Kaija Saariaho and Iannis Xenakis. The next generation is represented by a world premiere from leading young New Zealand composer Reuben Jelleyman. Iconic Sonics will be held in the beautiful gallery spaces of City Galley Wellington, surrounded by images from their 'Iconography of Revolt' exhibition.

    FEATURING

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    György Ligeti (HUN) • Ramifications for 12 solo strings

    Kaija Saariaho (FIN) • New Gates for flute, viola and harp

    Iannis Xenakis (GR) • Aroura for 12 solo strings

    Reuben Jelleyman (NZ) • Designs for chamber ensemble (world premiere)

    Witold Lutoslawski (POL) • Chain I for large ensemble

    Iconic Sonics

    , The Piano , Christchurch

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Christchurch)

    , Glenroy Auditorium , Dunedin

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Dunedin)

    , Nelson School of Music , Nelson

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Nelson)

    , Shed 6 , Wellington

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Wellington)

    , MTG Century Theatre , Napier

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Napier)

    , Theatre Royal , New Plymouth

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (New Plymouth)

    , Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts , Hamilton

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Hamilton)

    , Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall , Auckland

    Author Alex Ross pulled back the curtain for the masses and hit the best seller lists with his compelling and revelatory history of twentieth-century music, The Rest Is Noise.

    A tour-de-force of musicology and social history, Ross dispels the elitist myths surrounding modernist and post-modernist masterpieces, allowing audiences to share in his passion for this repertoire.

    In partnership with the Auckland Writers Festival, Ross shares the stage with the exquisite mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew and Aotearoa’s pre-eminent modern music ensemble STROMA. Together they present a musical tasting session that winds through the ages featuring work by Ravel, Bartók, Stravinsky and, of course, the modernist master himself, Schoenberg.

    FEATURING

    Alex Ross (narrator)

    Bianca Andrews (soprano)

    Bridget Douglas, Pat Barry, Emma Sayers, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Andrew Thomson, Ken Ichinose, Hamish McKeich (Stroma)

    PROGRAMME:

    Arnold Schoenberg Pierrot Lunaire (selections)

    Maurice Ravel No. 3 from Chansons Madécasses

    Béla Bartók No. 3 from Constrasts

    Olivier Messiaen VI from Quartet for the end of time

    György Ligeti Balada si joc

    Igor Stravinsky ‘Full Fathom Five’ from Three Songs from William Shakespeare

    Jenny McLeod For Seven (selections)

    Luciano Berio O King

    Pierre Boulez Improvisé, pour le Dr. Kalmus

    Iannis Xenakis Charisma

    Gillian Whitehead Manutaki

    Kaija Saariaho Oi Kuu

    David Lang Short Fall

    Alex Ross with Bianca Andrew (Auckland)

    , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    Drums that strike themselves. Loudspeakers that pivot and pirouette. Pianos whose keys tap dance ghostly toccatas. Welcome to a brave new world of mechatronic music, where self-playing instruments rule.

    Autonomous instruments have fascinated composers since the dawn of the mechanical age. The most famous of these is arguably Georges Antheil’s epic work Ballet Mécanique (1925) – best described as The Rite of Spring meets heavy metal.

    In Mechanical Ballet, experience the wonder for yourself as a crowd of mechatronic loudspeakers and percussion instruments come to life – created by Wellington-based musicians/engineers Jim Murphy, Bridget Johnson, Mo Zareei and David Downes. They keep pace with percussionists from leading Kiwi new music ensemble Stroma and top New Zealand pianists Sarah Watkins and Stephen De Pledge.

    This concert of virtuosic proportions features two seminal works by US minimalist icon Steve Reich, Drumming Part 1 and Piano Phase, as well as world premieres of works by composers Bridget Johnson, David Downes and Michael Norris. The future starts here.

    FEATURING

    Stephen De Pledge, Sarah Watkins (piano)

    Lenny Sakofsky, Jeremy Fitzsimons, Justin DeHart, Yoshiko Tsuruta (percussion)

    PROGRAMME:

    Steve Reich Drumming Part I for four percussionists

    Mo Zareei Rasping Music for brutalist mechatronic sound-sculptures

    David Downes Superflux for robotic drumkit, electronic playback

    Michael Norris Tidal Flow for amplified percussion quartet and robotic drums

    Bridget Johnson Pas de Quatre for mechatronic loudspeakers

    Steve Reich Piano Phase for two pianos

    Georges Antheil Ballet Mécanique for two pianos, four percussionists, four MIDI pianos and robotic percussion

    Mechanical Ballet (Performance 2)

    , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    Drums that strike themselves. Loudspeakers that pivot and pirouette. Pianos whose keys tap dance ghostly toccatas. Welcome to a brave new world of mechatronic music, where self-playing instruments rule.

    Autonomous instruments have fascinated composers since the dawn of the mechanical age. The most famous of these is arguably Georges Antheil’s epic work Ballet Mécanique (1925) – best described as The Rite of Spring meets heavy metal.

    In Mechanical Ballet, experience the wonder for yourself as a crowd of mechatronic loudspeakers and percussion instruments come to life – created by Wellington-based musicians/engineers Jim Murphy, Bridget Johnson, Mo Zareei and David Downes. They keep pace with percussionists from leading Kiwi new music ensemble Stroma and top New Zealand pianists Sarah Watkins and Stephen De Pledge.

    This concert of virtuosic proportions features two seminal works by US minimalist icon Steve Reich, Drumming Part 1 and Piano Phase, as well as world premieres of works by composers Bridget Johnson, David Downes and Michael Norris. The future starts here.

    FEATURING

    Stephen De Pledge, Sarah Watkins (piano)

    Lenny Sakofsky, Jeremy Fitzsimons, Justin DeHart, Yoshiko Tsuruta (percussion)

    PROGRAMME:

    Steve Reich Drumming Part I for four percussionists

    Mo Zareei Rasping Music for brutalist mechatronic sound-sculptures

    David Downes Superflux for robotic drumkit, electronic playback

    Michael Norris Tidal Flow for amplified percussion quartet and robotic drums

    Bridget Johnson Pas de Quatre for mechatronic loudspeakers

    Steve Reich Piano Phase for two pianos

    Georges Antheil Ballet Mécanique for two pianos, four percussionists, four MIDI pianos and robotic percussion

    Mechanical Ballet (Performance 1)
  • 2017

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington

    Music from the frontiers of sound & technology

    The works on this programme share a fascination with the materiality of sound, by revealing its inner structures in a series of meditative dronescapes that will fill the resonant spaces of City Gallery Wellington. Composers such as Kaija Saariaho, Salvatore Sciarrino, Luigi Ceccarelli and Annea Lockwood all provide deep and enveloping listening experiences.

    Also featured is the world premiere of a new concerto for throatsinger, ensemble and live electronics by Michael Norris, with soloist Wellington-based throatsinger and improviser, Jonny Marks.

    FEATURING

    Mark Carter (conductor)

    Jonny Marks (throat-singing)

    Ed Allen (prepared horn)

    PROGRAMME:

    Kaija Saariaho Cendres for alto flute, cello and piano

    Salvatore Sciarrino Fauno che fischia a un Merlo for flute and harp

    Annea Lockwood Immersion for 3 percussion

    Luigi Ceccarelli Respiri for prepared horn and electronics

    Kaija Saariaho Ciel Étoilé for double bass and percussion

    Michael Norris Sygyt for ensemble, throat-singer, and electronics

    Spectral Electric

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington

    Less is more — the scintillating sounds of the minimalist movement.

    FEATURING

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Steve Reich Double Sextet for ensemble

    Julia Wolfe Lick for ensemble

    Alison Isadora Alt for string quartet

    Terry Riley In C for ensemble

    Maximum Minimalism

    , Hannah Playhouse , Wellington

    New directions in indigenous musical forms — Stroma meets New Zealand's masters of taonga puoro.

    FEATURING

    Ariana Tikao (voice & taonga puoro)

    Alistair Fraser (taonga puoro)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Philip Brownlee/Ariana Tikao Ko te tātai whetū for ensemble and taonga puoro

    Dylan Lardelli Musical Box for ensemble and taonga puoro

    Tristan Carter Tohoraha for strings & taonga puoro

    Gillian Whitehead Hineraukatauri for flute & taonga puoro

    Ariana Tikao Ka taka te mōtoi for ensemble, voice & taonga puoro

    Hirini Melbourne & Ariana Tikao Amokura for ensemble, voice & taonga puoro

    Tātai Whetū
  • 2016

    , Shed 6 , Wellington

    This ground-breaking new chamber opera from Ross Harris and Vincent O’Sullivan (Requiem for the Fallen) powerfully portrays Gallipoli as both a military story and one of domestic New Zealand.

    Wives and families at home in Wellington are as much to the fore as men in uniform at the front in an innovative depiction of the 1915 battle of Chunuk Bair.

    Directed by Jonathan Alver, with award-winning tenor James Egglestone as Wellington Regiment Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone, and the score performed by Stroma New Music Ensemble conducted by Hamish McKeich, Brass Poppies offers fresh perspectives on World War I, along with music and emotional resonances that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.

    Co-produced by New Zealand Festival, Auckland Arts Festival and New Zealand Opera, with support from the Lottery Grants Board.

     

    Brass Poppies
  • 2015

    , Sacred Heart Cathedral , Wellington

    Stroma presents a major tribute to New Zealand’s most important and influential composer, Douglas Lilburn, on the day of his 100th birthday.

    Nine Echoes features nine new works written by New Zealand composers, each work responding to one of Lilburn’s Nine Short Pieces for piano, which will be played by Emma Sayers. The new pieces are as diverse as the composers themselves, who range from major figures such as Eve de Castro-Robinson and John Elmsly to talented postgraduate students such as 21-year-old Stephen Clothier.

    Nine Echoes has been funded in large part by donations from music-lovers using the crowdfunding website Boosted, as well as receiving grants from the Lilburn Trust, Wellington City Council and philanthropist Dr. Jack C. Richards. Anyone who loves Lilburn, or wants to experience new contemporary music in small, perfectly-formed bites, should attend.

    The Centre for New Zealand Music (SOUNZ) will partner with Stroma in presenting this event, and is providing a birthday cake and bubbles.

    FEATURING

    Emma Sayers (piano)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by Douglas Lilburn, Eve de Castro-Robinson, John Elmsly, Michael Norris, Dorothy Ker, Salina Fisher, Sarah Ballard, Louise Webster, Glen Downie, Stephen Clothier.

    Nine Echoes

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington

    Stroma brings the gorgeous spaces of the City Gallery Wellington to life with reverberant sonic colour.

    Four works by NZ composers will provide 70 minutes of raw musical abandon: the world premiere of Jeroen Speak’s beguiling Eratosthene’s Sieve, a compressed concert version of Michael Norris’s Timedance, based on a deconstruction of Bach’s Suite in B minor, Alison Isadora’s quirky work for string quartet, in which the players have to operate percussion instruments with their feet, and Jack Body’s Interior, a work from 1987 for ensemble and field recordings that has never been performed before in Wellington.

    PROGRAMME

    Jeroen Speak Eratosthene’s Sieve

    Michael Norris Timedance (compressed concert version)

    Alison Isadora Point of departure

    Jack Body Interior

    INTERIORS
  • 2014

    , Sacred Heart Cathedral , Wellington

    Back by popular demand, Stroma’s sonic feast that spans the centuries.

    Bridging three millennia of music, Stroma’s own string quartet teams up again with early music specialists Kamala Bain (recorder) and Rowena Simpson (soprano) — in the beautiful surroundings of the Sacred Heart Basilica.

    Works by New Zealand composers are interleaved with arrangements of Medieval and Renaissance music from composers who truly ‘pushed the boundaries’ of music, often foreshadowing twentieth-century developments. One work is even based on the earliest known notated melody dating from 1400BC. We are also pleased to give the world premiere of a new work by Wellington composer Chris Watson.

    FEATURING

    Kamala Bain (recorders), Rowena Simpson (soprano), Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Rebecca Struthers (vn), Andrew Thomson (va), Rowan Prior (vc)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by

    Jack BODY

    Heinrich BIBER

    Simon EASTWOOD

    Johannes CICONIA

    Michael NORRIS

    Pierre DE LA RUE

    Mary BINNEY

    Christopher TYE

    Karlo MARGETIC

    Cipriano DE RORE

    Rachael MORGAN

    Maki ISHII

    Ben VAUTIER

    Anon

    and featuring a world premiere by Chris WATSON

    Four Performances:

    Wed 18 June, 6 & 8pm, St. Matthews-in-The-City, AUCKLAND

    Thu 26 June, 6 & 8pm, Sacred Heart Basilica, WELLINGTON

    The Mirror of Time 3 Performance 4

    , Sacred Heart Cathedral , Wellington

    Back by popular demand, Stroma’s sonic feast that spans the centuries.

    Bridging three millennia of music, Stroma’s own string quartet teams up again with early music specialists Kamala Bain (recorder) and Rowena Simpson (soprano) — in the beautiful surroundings of Sacred Heart Basilica.

    Works by New Zealand composers are interleaved with arrangements of Medieval and Renaissance music from composers who truly ‘pushed the boundaries’ of music, often foreshadowing twentieth-century developments. One work is even based on the earliest known notated melody dating from 1400BC. We are also pleased to give the world premiere of a new work by Wellington composer Chris Watson.

    FEATURING

    Kamala Bain (recorders), Rowena Simpson (soprano), Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Rebecca Struthers (vn), Andrew Thomson (va), Rowan Prior (vc)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by

    Jack BODY

    Heinrich BIBER

    Simon EASTWOOD

    Johannes CICONIA

    Michael NORRIS

    Pierre DE LA RUE

    Mary BINNEY

    Christopher TYE

    Karlo MARGETIC

    Cipriano DE RORE

    Rachael MORGAN

    Maki ISHII

    Ben VAUTIER

    Anon

    and featuring a world premiere by Chris WATSON

    Four Performances:

    Wed 18 June, 6 & 8pm, St. Matthews-in-The-City, AUCKLAND

    Thu 26 June, 6 & 8pm, Sacred Heart Basilica, WELLINGTON

    The Mirror of Time 3 Performance 3

    , St Matthew-in-the-City , Auckland

    Back by popular demand, Stroma’s sonic feast that spans the centuries.

    Bridging three millennia of music, Stroma’s own string quartet teams up again with early music specialists Kamala Bain (recorder) and Rowena Simpson (soprano) — in the beautiful surroundings of St Matthew-in-the-City.

    Works by New Zealand composers are interleaved with arrangements of Medieval and Renaissance music from composers who truly ‘pushed the boundaries’ of music, often foreshadowing twentieth-century developments. One work is even based on the earliest known notated melody dating from 1400BC. We are also pleased to give the world premiere of a new work by Wellington composer Chris Watson.

    FEATURING

    Kamala Bain (recorders), Rowena Simpson (soprano), Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Rebecca Struthers (vn), Andrew Thomson (va), Rowan Prior (vc)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by

    Jack BODY

    Heinrich BIBER

    Simon EASTWOOD

    Johannes CICONIA

    Michael NORRIS

    Pierre DE LA RUE

    Mary BINNEY

    Christopher TYE

    Karlo MARGETIC

    Cipriano DE RORE

    Rachael MORGAN

    Maki ISHII

    Ben VAUTIER

    Anon

    and featuring a world premiere by Chris WATSON

    Four Performances:

    Wed 18 June, 6 & 8pm, St. Matthews-in-The-City, AUCKLAND

    Thu 26 June, 6 & 8pm, Sacred Heart Basilica, WELLINGTON

    The Mirror of Time 3 Performance 2

    , St Matthew-in-the-City , Auckland

    Back by popular demand, Stroma’s sonic feast that spans the centuries.

    Bridging three millennia of music, Stroma’s own string quartet teams up again with early music specialists Kamala Bain (recorder) and Rowena Simpson (soprano) — in the beautiful surroundings of St Matthew-in-the-City.

    Works by New Zealand composers are interleaved with arrangements of Medieval and Renaissance music from composers who truly ‘pushed the boundaries’ of music, often foreshadowing twentieth-century developments. One work is even based on the earliest known notated melody dating from 1400BC. We are also pleased to give the world premiere of a new work by Wellington composer Chris Watson.

    FEATURING

    Kamala Bain (recorders), Rowena Simpson (soprano), Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Rebecca Struthers (vn), Andrew Thomson (va), Rowan Prior (vc)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by

    Jack BODY

    Heinrich BIBER

    Simon EASTWOOD

    Johannes CICONIA

    Michael NORRIS

    Pierre DE LA RUE

    Mary BINNEY

    Christopher TYE

    Karlo MARGETIC

    Cipriano DE RORE

    Rachael MORGAN

    Maki ISHII

    Ben VAUTIER

    Anon

    and featuring a world premiere by Chris WATSON

    Four Performances:

    Wed 18 June, 6 & 8pm, St. Matthews-in-The-City, AUCKLAND

    Thu 26 June, 6 & 8pm, Sacred Heart Basilica, WELLINGTON

    The Mirror of Time 3 Performance 1
  • 2013

    , Marama Hall, University of Otago

    Stroma, New Zealand’s largest and most versatile chamber ensemble, performs again in Dunedin for the first time since 2002. The programme features 5 works by NZ composers, all associated with Otago University: Anthony Ritchie (who teaches at the University), Samuel Holloway (current Mozart Fellow at the university), and Michael Norris (Dunedin-born, studied undergraduate music courses at the university, and the 2002 Mozart Fellow).

    The two works by Samuel Holloway are world premieres, written specially for this concert. Michael Norris’s Timedance is an acoustic version of a score for dance film commissioned by Dunedin-based choreographer and film-maker Daniel Belton and his Good Company Arts. This work was a finalist for the 2013 APRA/SOUNZ Contemporary Award. Rounding out the programme is the beautiful, haunting soundworld of George Crumb’s Eleven Echoes of Autumn.

    FEATURING

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    Bridget Douglas (flute)

    PROGRAMME

    Samuel Holloway — Hard Science (world premiere)

    Samuel Holloway — New work (world premiere)

    Michael Norris — Timedance (excerpts)

    Michael Norris — Tre Canzoni Imperfette

    Anthony Ritchie — Oppositions

    George Crumb — Eleven Echoes of Autumn

    Stroma @ Marama Hall 2013

    , Hunter Council Chamber , Wellington
    Goddess and Storyteller

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    A concert of scintillating percussion from Australia’s leading percussion virtuoso.

    Australian percussion virtuoso Claire Edwardes joins Stroma, conducted by Hamish McKeich, in a concert of contrasting styles.

    This concert features a ‘micro-concerto’ by American post-minimalist Steven Mackey. Clearly influenced by jazz sonorities and with reminiscences of favourite works by John Adams (that have appeared in previous Stroma concerts), the micro-concerto promises to be an excellent introduction to Claire’s skills.

    Juxtaposed against this are works by New Zealand ex-patriates Alison Isadora and Jeroen Speak, and Australian composer Gerard Brophy. Rounding out the programme is an ear-shimmering version of Ligeti’s harpsichord classic Continuum, arranged for two marimbas.

    FEATURING

    Claire Edwardes (percussion), Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Steven Mackey — Micro-concerto for percussion and ensemble

    György Ligeti — Continuum (marimba duo version)

    Gerard Brophy — Coil

    Jeroen Speak — Musik für Witwen, Jungfrauen und Unschuldige

    Alison Isadora — Cornish Pasty

    Event Horizon

    , St Mary's of the Angels , Wellington

    A tasting-plate of sonic morsels spanning the centuries.

    Bridging six centuries of music, Stroma’s own string quartet teams up again with early music specialists rec.sop — Kamala Bain (recorder) and Rowena Simpson (soprano) — in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary of the Angels.

    Featured is a mixture of Medieval and Renaissance composers who truly ‘pushed the boundaries’ of music, often foreshadowing twentieth-century developments. These early works back onto selected pieces from the last century that provide a spacious environment.

    We will also feature the world premiere of a new work for recorder and string quartet by Wellington composer Philip Brownlee.

    FEATURING

    Kamala Bain (recorders), Rowena Simpson (soprano), Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Rebecca Struthers (vn), Andrew Thomson (va), Rowan Prior (vc)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by

    Erik SATIE

    Jean-Féry REBEL

    John CAGE

    Josquin DES PREZ

    Thomas ADÈS

    Thomas PRESTON

    Carlo GESUALDO

    Arvo PÄRT

    Mattheo da PERUGIA

    Louis ANDRIESSEN

    FLUXUS

    and featuring a world premiere by Philip Brownlee

    The Mirror of Time 2 Performance 2

    , St Mary's of the Angels , Wellington

    A tasting-plate of sonic morsels spanning the centuries.

    Bridging six centuries of music, Stroma’s own string quartet teams up again with early music specialists rec.sop — Kamala Bain (recorder) and Rowena Simpson (soprano) — in the beautiful surroundings of St Mary of the Angels.

    Featured is a mixture of Medieval and Renaissance composers who truly ‘pushed the boundaries’ of music, often foreshadowing twentieth-century developments. These early works back onto selected pieces from the last century that provide a spacious environment.

    We will also feature the world premiere of a new work for recorder and string quartet by Wellington composer Philip Brownlee.

    FEATURING

    Kamala Bain (recorders), Rowena Simpson (soprano), Vesa-Matti Leppänen, Rebecca Struthers (vn), Andrew Thomson (va), Rowan Prior (vc)

    PROGRAMME

    Works by

    Erik SATIE

    Jean-Féry REBEL

    John CAGE

    Josquin DES PREZ

    Thomas ADÈS

    Thomas PRESTON

    Carlo GESUALDO

    Arvo PÄRT

    Mattheo da PERUGIA

    Louis ANDRIESSEN

    FLUXUS

    and featuring a world premiere by Philip Brownlee

    The Mirror of Time 2 Performance 1

    , Loft, Q Theatre , Auckland

    "Rarely have I felt so disquieted and disturbed after a concert... high praise is well deserved for this astounding performance of a work that has clearly lost none of its ability to shock even 100 years after its birth" (Simon Holden, Bachtrack.com)

    Arnold Schoenberg’s chilling, surreal classic, Pierrot Lunaire, was premiered in Berlin 100 years ago. Since then, it has entered the canon of twentieth-century works, for its unusual vocal qualities, its vivid, hallucinogenic text and shimmering, hyperexpressive music.

    After a critically acclaimed performance in Wellington in 2012, Stroma reprises the show in Auckland. Featuring rising international star MADELEINE PIERARD as Pierrot, other works on the programme include music by Schoenberg’s pupils Anton Webern (Streichtrio Op. 2) and Hanns Eisler’s Pierrot hommage, 14 Arten den Regen zu beschreiben (14 ways of depicting rain), set to Joris Ivens' minimalist film, Regen.

    "This Stroma concert will live long in the memory as a true milestone" (Garth Wilshere, Capital Times)

    FEATURING

    Madeleine Pierard (soprano)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Hanns Eisler — 14 Arten den Regen zu beschreiben

    Anton Webern — Streichtrio Op. 20

    Arnold Schoenberg — Pierrot Lunaire

    Pierrot Lunaire
  • 2012

    , Downstage Theatre , Wellington

    Wellington’s favourite bearded, looping multi-instrumentalist ADAM PAGE joins Stroma in an evening of blues-inspired works for ensemble. In this concert we'll premiere a new work of his, scored for loops and ensemble, alongside JACK BODY’s recontextualisations of blues recordings, Tribute to the Blues. Rounding out the programme is Michael Norris’s deconstruction of a Monk standard and Jacob ter Veldhuis’s funk-laden voice+video+jazz trio work Grab It!

    FEATURING

    Adam Page (saxophones & looping pedals)

    PROGRAMME

    Jack Body — Tribute to the Blues

    Adam Page — New work for loops and ensemble

    Michael Norris — Heart Across Night (paraphrase on Straight No Chaser)

    Jacob ter Veldhuis — Grab It!

    Blue Page (Performance 2)

    , Downstage Theatre , Wellington

    Wellington’s favourite bearded, looping multi-instrumentalist ADAM PAGE joins Stroma in an evening of blues-inspired works for ensemble. In this concert we'll premiere a new work of his, scored for loops and ensemble, alongside JACK BODY’s recontextualisations of blues recordings, Tribute to the Blues. Rounding out the programme is Michael Norris’s deconstruction of a Monk standard and Jacob ter Veldhuis’s funk-laden voice+video+jazz trio work Grab It!

    FEATURING

    Adam Page (saxophones & looping pedals)

    PROGRAMME

    Jack Body — Tribute to the Blues

    Adam Page — New work for loops and ensemble

    Michael Norris — Heart Across Night (paraphrase on Straight No Chaser)

    Jacob ter Veldhuis — Grab It!

    Blue Page (Performance 1)

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    Arnold Schoenberg’s chilling, surreal classic, Pierrot Lunaire, was premiered in Berlin 100 years ago. Since then, it has entered the canon of twentieth-century works, for its unusual vocal qualities, its vivid, hallucinogenic text and shimmering music. Not heard in NZ in nearly twenty years, Stroma features hot young soprano MADELEINE PIERARD in the lead role. Other works on the programme include music by Schoenberg’s pupils Anton Webern (Streichtrio Op. 2) and Hanns Eisler’s Pierrot hommage, 14 Arten den Regen zu beschreiben (14 ways of depicting rain), set to Joris Ivens' minimalist film, Regen

    FEATURING

    Madeleine Pierard (soprano)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Hanns Eisler — 14 Arten den Regen zu beschreiben

    Anton Webern — Streichtrio Op. 20

    Arnold Schoenberg — Pierrot Lunaire

    SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Purchase your tickets through Ticketek before 18 November and save 20—30% off the full price. Click "BOOK NOW" button below.

    Pierrot Lunaire

    , Rangatira, Q Theatre , Auckland

    One of NZ’s leading choreographer/filmmakers, DANIEL BELTON, in collaboration with composer and Stroma’s own MICHAEL NORRIS, brings to life a major new work of dance film. Featuring live music provided by a small Stroma ensemble, TIMEDANCE is a meditation on history, memory, time and space. The music — a modern "filtration" of one of Bach’s best-loved Baroque dance suites for 2 violins, cello, piano and live electronics — shimmers with glistening energy and luminescence, while Belton’s mesmerising images flicker and flow.

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris & Daniel Belton — TIMEDANCE

    Jan-Bas Bollen, Jac Grenfell & Daniel Belton — Soma Songs

    TIMEDANCE (Auck performance)

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    Glowing horizons, shimmering clouds, broad vistas of sound.

    Stroma is joined in a concert of landscape-themed music by ROBERTO FABBRICIANI — one of the world’s greatest flute players and collaborator with luminaries such as Berio, Maderna, Nono and Sciarrino. In his first visit to New Zealand, Fabbriciani will perform in a number of works, including the premiere of PAOLO CAVALLONE’s Horos for flute and ensemble. Cavallone will be familiar to a number of Wellingtonians after he spent the second half of 2010 lecturing composition and orchestration at the New Zealand School of Music.

    Also featured is NZer Dorothy Ker’s Water Mountain, Kaija Saariaho’s shimmering Cloud Trio and Gérard Pesson’s Nebenstück, a delicate deconstruction of a Brahms piano work.

    FEATURING

    Roberto Fabbriciani (flute)

    Hamish McKeich (conductor)

    PROGRAMME

    Gérard Pesson — Nebenstück

    Kaija Saariaho — Cloud Trio

    Aldo Clementi — Duetto

    Dorothy Ker — Water Mountain

    Salvatore Sciarrino — L’orizzonte luminoso di Aton

    Paolo Cavallone — Hóros for flute and ensemble [WORLD PREMIERE]

    Tickets on sale at Ticketek from 20 September.

    Luminous Horizon

    , Middleton Grange School , Christchurch

    One of NZ’s leading choreographer/filmmakers, DANIEL BELTON, in collaboration with composer and Stroma’s own MICHAEL NORRIS, brings to life a major new work of dance film. Featuring live music provided by a small Stroma ensemble, TIMEDANCE is a meditation on history, memory, time and space. The music — a modern "filtration" of one of Bach’s best-loved Baroque dance suites for 2 violins, cello, piano and live electronics — shimmers with glistening energy and luminescence, while Belton’s mesmerising images flicker and flow.

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris & Daniel Belton — TIMEDANCE

    Jan-Bas Bollen, Jac Grenfell & Daniel Belton — Soma Songs

    TIMEDANCE (Chch performance)

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington
    Percussion/Action (Performance 2)

    , City Gallery Wellington , Wellington
    Percussion/Action (Performance 1)

    , Page Blackie Gallery , Wellington

    A mesmerising flurry of amplified clarinet and electronics, amidst Page Blackie Gallery’s show of Neil Dawson sculptures. Let yourself be immersed in new universes of sound.

    Featuring clarinet virtuoso Richard Haynes

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris — De Corporis Fabrica [NZ PREMIERE]

    Dugal McKinnon — nowdrifts [NZ PREMIERE]

    Karlheinz Essl — Sequitur II [NZ PREMIERE]

    BOOKING DETAILS

    Please note: this venue is limited to 40 seats per concert. Prebookings are strongly recommended — click the "Book Now" button below to be transferred to Dash Tickets.

    SPECIAL OFFER: For prebookings, we will pay your booking fee ($2/$2.50) — please note, a 2.5% credit card processing fee applies.

    MULTIPLE SHOWS: As another special offer, if you prebook a ticket to one concert now, you can purchase a discounted $5 ticket to a later show on the door (subject to availability)

    Body/Drift (Performance 4)

    , Page Blackie Gallery , Wellington

    A mesmerising flurry of amplified clarinet and electronics, amidst Page Blackie Gallery’s show of Neil Dawson sculptures. Let yourself be immersed in new universes of sound.

    Featuring clarinet virtuoso Richard Haynes

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris — De Corporis Fabrica [NZ PREMIERE]

    Dugal McKinnon — nowdrifts [NZ PREMIERE]

    Karlheinz Essl — Sequitur II [NZ PREMIERE]

    BOOKING DETAILS

    Please note: this venue is limited to 40 seats per concert. Prebookings are strongly recommended — click the "Book Now" button below to be transferred to Dash Tickets.

    SPECIAL OFFER: For prebookings, we will pay your booking fee ($2/$2.50) — please note, a 2.5% credit card processing fee applies.

    Body/Drift (Performance 3)

    , Page Blackie Gallery , Wellington

    A mesmerising flurry of amplified clarinet and electronics, amidst Page Blackie Gallery’s show of Neil Dawson sculptures. Let yourself be immersed in new universes of sound.

    Featuring clarinet virtuoso Richard Haynes

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris — [NZ PREMIERE]

    Dugal McKinnon — [NZ PREMIERE]

    Karlheinz Essl — [NZ PREMIERE]

    BOOKING DETAILS

    Please note: this venue is limited to 40 seats per concert. Prebookings are strongly recommended — click the "Book Now" button below to be transferred to Dash Tickets.

    SPECIAL OFFER: For prebookings, we will pay your booking fee ($2/$2.50) — please note, a 2.5% credit card processing fee applies.

    MULTIPLE SHOWS: As another special offer, if you prebook a ticket to one concert now, you can purchase a discounted $5 ticket to a later show on the door (subject to availability)

    Body/Drift (Performance 2)

    , Page Blackie Gallery , Wellington

    A mesmerising flurry of amplified clarinet and electronics, amidst Page Blackie Gallery’s show of Neil Dawson sculptures. Let yourself be immersed in new universes of sound.

    Featuring clarinet virtuoso Richard Haynes

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris — De Corporis Fabrica [NZ PREMIERE]

    Dugal McKinnon — nowdrifts [NZ PREMIERE]

    Karlheinz Essl — Sequitur II [NZ PREMIERE]

    BOOKING DETAILS

    Please note: this venue is limited to 40 seats per concert. Prebookings are strongly recommended — click the "Book Now" button below to be transferred to Dash Tickets.

    SPECIAL OFFER: For prebookings, we will pay your booking fee ($2/$2.50) — please note, a 2.5% credit card processing fee applies.

    MULTIPLE SHOWS: As another special offer, if you prebook a ticket to one concert now, you can purchase a discounted $5 ticket to a later show on the door (subject to availability)

    Body/Drift (Performance 1)

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    Two barnstorming chamber symphonies: Schoenberg’s classic Op. 1 that defined a genre, and John Adam’s recent work "Son of Chamber Symphony". Alongside these two milestones are a smorgasbord of works by local composers, celebrating NZ Music Month: world premieres from Chris Cree Brown and Karlo Margetic, and performances of works by Dylan Lardelli and Samuel Holloway.

    PROGRAMME

    Karlo Margetic — Mad Scene [WORLD PREMIERE]

    Samuel Holloway — Sillage

    Chris Cree Brown — Munted [WORLD PREMIERE]

    Dylan Lardelli — to give

    John Adams — Son of Chamber Symphony [NZ PREMIERE]

    Arnold Schoenberg — Chamber Symphony No. 1 in E major, Op. 9

    Supported by a Wellington City Council venue subsidy grant.

    Chamber of Symphonies

    , St Mary's of the Angels , Wellington
    The Mirror of Time (Performance 2)

    , St Mary's of the Angels , Wellington
    The Mirror of Time (Performance 1)
  • 2011

    , Hong Kong City Hall Theatre , Hong Kong

    FEATURING

    Peter Dykes — Oboe

    Richard Haynes — Bass clarinet

    Hamish McKeich — Conductor

    PROGRAMME

    Iannis Xenakis — Charisma

    Jeroen Speak — Epeisodos (bass clarinet version)

    Michael Norris — blindsight

    Chris Hung — Fluorescence (World premiere)

    Chan Ming-chi — The Song of Tai Chi Motion

    Luciano Berio — Sequenza VI

    Dylan Lardelli — Two Bells

    Musicarama (Hong Kong)

    , Downstage Theatre , Wellington

    A short programme performed twice in one evening, featuring Warren Maxwell of Little Bushman & Trinity Roots. In a collaboration with leading NZ composer John Psathas, Warren presents a series of songs surrounded by the rich sonorities of Stroma’s ensemble. The concert finishes with the madcap, cartoonish antics of New York enfant terrible John Zorn’s For Your Eyes Only.

    PROGRAMME

    Warren Maxwell & John Psathas — Pounamu

    John Zorn — For Your Eyes Only

    Pounamu (Performance 2/2)

    , Downstage Theatre , Wellington

    A short programme performed twice in one evening, featuring Warren Maxwell of Little Bushman & Trinity Roots. In a collaboration with leading NZ composer John Psathas, Warren presents a series of songs surrounded by the rich sonorities of Stroma’s ensemble. The concert finishes with the madcap, cartoonish antics of New York enfant terrible John Zorn’s For Your Eyes Only.

    PROGRAMME

    Warren Maxwell & John Psathas — Pounamu

    John Zorn — For Your Eyes Only

    Pounamu (Performance 1/2)
  • 2010

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Mark Carter — Trumpet

    Richard Haynes — Clarinet

    PROGRAMME

    Iannis Xenakis — Thalleïn

    Jeroen Speak — Silk Dialogue VI (NZ premiere)

    Peter Scholes — Relic (World premiere)

    Alexandra Hay — An Island Doesn’t Either (World premiere)

    Thomas Adès — Living Toys (NZ premiere)

    Living Toys

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Bridget Douglas — Flute

    Peter Dykes — Oboe

    Leonard Sakofsky — Percussion

    PROGRAMME

    Chris Gendall — Rudiments

    Luciano Berio — Sequenza I for solo flute

    Luciano Berio — Sequenza VII for solo oboe

    Ross Harris — Trombone Opera

    Ross Harris — Fanitullin

    Iannis Xenakis — Charisma

    Frederic Rzewski — Song & Dance

    Frederic Rzewski — To the Earth

    Sequences
  • 2009

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Jeff Henderson — Saxes

    Christian Wolz — Voice

    Nicholas Isherwood — Voice

    PROGRAMME

    Chris Gendall — Wax Lyrical

    Jeff Henderson — UnCage my HeArt! (World premiere)

    Salvatore Sciarrino — Quaderno di Strada (NZ premiere)

    Street Songs

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    PROGRAMME

    Jenny McLeod — Cat Dreams (World premiere)

    Gillian Whitehad — Hineteiwaiwa (NZ premiere)

    David Downes — Bliss Mechanism (World premiere)

    Michael Norris — tesserae...interstices (NZ premiere)

    John Rimmer — The Ring of Fire

    Dreams
  • 2008

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Richard Haynes — bass clarinet

    PROGRAMME

    Gérard Grisey — Périodes

    David Downes — Expulse (World premiere)

    Samuel Holloway — Strange Loops (World premiere)

    Dylan Lardelli — Four Scenes (World premiere)

    Iannis Xenakis — Échange

    Strange Loops

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Pedro Carneiro (Spain/France) — percussion

    Jeremy Fitzsimons (NZ) — percussion

    PROGRAMME

    Tansy Davies — grind show (unplugged)

    Gareth Farr — Dialogue

    Iannis Xenakis — Psappha

    Jennifer Walshe — unbreakable line hinged waist

    Salvatore Sciarrino — Lo Spazio Inverso

    John Psathas — Psyzygysm (concerto for percussion and ensemble)

    Grind Show

    , Wellington Town Hall

    A triple bill of classic Charlie Chaplin films shown on the big screen is injected with new life by maverick composer Benedict Mason’s ingenious contemporary live score, ChaplinOperas.

    Inspired by three short masterpieces, Easy Street, The Adventurer and The Immigrant, ChaplinOperas explores Chaplin’s anarchic vision through an exuberantly inventive score. A riot of voices, classical instruments, toys, a coffee grinder, pop guns, brushes, sirens and sampled sounds, this semi-operatic filmspiel is a foil to Chaplin’s humour. ChaplinOperas wittily takes the movies to new places, playing for laughs as well as on the connections between contemporary stage and silver screen.

    Benedict Mason — ChaplinOperas

    ChaplinOperas
  • 2007

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Dylan Lardelli — guitar

    Donald Nicolson — piano/harpsichord

    PROGRAMME

    György Ligeti — Melodien for ensemble

    György Ligeti — Hungarian Rock for solo harpsichord

    György Ligeti — Continuum for solo harpsichord

    Elliot Carter — Changes for solo guitar

    Magnus Lindberg — Engine for ensemble

    Michael Norris — Machine Noises for solo piano

    Harrison Birtwistle — Carmen Arcadiae Perpetuum Mobile for ensemble

    Mechanica — Tribute to Ligeti

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Richard Haynes — clarinet

    Patrick Barry — clarinet

    Andrew Uren — bass clarinet

    Duo Stump-Linshalm (Petra Stump & Heinzpeter Linshalm) — bass clarinets

    PROGRAMME

    Jorge Sanchez-Chiong — Tropico Transito

    Michael Norris — Icons & Artifice

    John Adams — Gnarly Buttons

    Chris Watson — Mandible

    Giacinto Scelsi — Kya

    Gnarly Buttons

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington
    Stroma at the ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL 2007

    FEATURING

    Richard Haynes — E-flat clarinet

    PROGRAMME

    Songji Hong (Korea) — Descending Flow

    Naoko Kachi (Japan) — Liberation

    Nadav Ziv (Israel) — Circles

    Anothai Nitibhon (Thailand) — Voiceless Sketches I & II

    Christian Utz (Austria) — Together/Apart

    Jeroen Speak (NZ) — Epeisodos

  • 2006

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Rowan Prior — Cello

    Richard Haynes — Bass clarinet

    PROGRAMME

    Karlheinz Essl — Entsagung

    Alfred Schnittke — Dialogue for cello and ensemble

    Helen Bowater — Lumen

    John Young — Arriverderci

    György Kürtag — Kroó György in Memoriam

    Sofia Gubaidulina — Concordanza

    Lumen

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Bridget Douglas — flute

    Carolyn Mills — harp

    Simon Docking — piano

    PROGRAMME

    Salvatore Sciarrino — Introduzione all‘oscuro

    Jack Body — Rainforest for flute and harp (world premiere)

    Brian Ferneyhough — Lemma-Icon-Epigram

    Oliver Knussen — Coursing

    Pierre Boulez — Dérive

    Icons of Our Time

    , Wellington Town Hall

    FEATURING

    Manos Achalinotopoulos (Greece) — clarinet

    Vangelis Karypis (NZ) — percussion

    PROGRAMME

    Salpinx Call

    Tzamara

    Manos Achalinotopoulos — Bacchic

    Seikilos — Song of Seikilos

    John Psathas — Abhisheka

    Achalinotopoulos — Suk/Bazaar

    Christos Hatzis — Fertility Rites I

    Christos Hatzis — Fertility Rites II

    Percussion solo

    Manos Achalinotopoulos — Doxastiko

    John Psathas — Mal Occhio

    Taximi Kartsigar

    Hymn to the Muse

    Zeibekiko Dance

    John Psathas — Maenads

    Zeibekiko (International Festival of the Arts)
  • 2005

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    PROGRAMME

    Rachel Clement — knitting dust

    Jeroen Speak — Musik für witwen, jungfrauen und unschuldige

    Arnold Schoenberg — Wind Quintet

    John Adams — Chamber Symphony

    Knitting Dust

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Lars Mlekusch — Saxophones

    PROGRAMME

    Michael Norris — Splinter Cells (World premiere)

    Chris Watson — New work for saxophone & chamber ensemble (World premiere — Wellington only)

    Dugal McKinnon — Untitled (Counterfeit Readymade #1) (World premiere)

    Jacob ter Veldhuis — Grab it!

    Hanspeter Kyburz — Cells

    Bent
  • 2004

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Richard Nunns — taonga puoru

    Hamish McKeich — bassoon

    Aroha Yates-Smith — voice

    PROGRAMME

    Brigid Bisley — In memoriam (world premiere)

    Gillian Whitehead — Hine Te Kakara for bassoon, voice and taonga puoro

    Philip Brownlee — Te Hau o Tawhirimatea for flute and taonga puoro (world premiere)

    Lyell Cresswell — Con Fuoco (world premiere)

    Patahitanga | Convergence

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Susan Ung — viola

    Kate Lineham — voice

    PROGRAMME

    José Evangelista — Ô Bali

    Chinary Ung — ...Still Life after Death

    Chinary Ung — Khse Buon

    Alison Isadora — the little baby jesus and the bee

    John Croft — murmures secrez...Avernales eaux

    Roberto Sierra — Cuentos

    Re:location

    , Hunter Council Chamber , Wellington

    PROGRAMME

    Yong Nan Park — River Bend Motion

    Heejung Ahn — Labyrinth

    Boknam Lee — Evolution

    Chan Hae Lee — Colour in Colour

    Dylan Lardelli — Paulownia

    PROGRAMME

    George Crumb — Eleven echoes of autumn

    Ross Harris — At the edge of silence (commission)

    Olivier Messiaen — Quartet for the end of time

    Twentieth-century classics: CMNZ Tour

    , Wellington Town Hall

    FEATURING

    Jeff Henderson — saxes)

    Riki Gooch — drums

    David Long — guitar

    PROGRAMME

    Gavin Bryars — After the Requiem

    John Adams — Chamber Symphony

    Theo Loevendie — Bons

    David Long — Cross Creek

    David Downes — Utterances

    David Downes — Generation

    Howard Shore (arr. McKeich) — Naked Lunch Score

    Charles Coleman — Rut Strut

    Velocities II
  • 2003

    , Hopetoun Alpha

    FEATURING

    Andrew Uren — bass clarinet

    PROGRAMME

    Victoria Kelly — Song for Chamber Ensemble

    Helen Bowater — Banshee

    Iannis Xenakis — Échange

    Liza Lim — The Heart’s Ear

    Philip Brownlee — Sparks Among the Geysers (world premiere)

    , Hopetoun Alpha

    FEATURING

    Mark Menzies —

    PROGRAMME

    Brian Ferneyhough — Terrain

    Edgar Varèse — Octandre

    John Rimmer — De Aestibus Rerum

    Dylan Lardelli — Four fragments

    Richard Barrett — Stirrings

    John Croft — Siramour

    , Wellington Cathedral

    PROGRAMME

    Ross Harris — Lament

    Oliver Knussen — Two Organa

    Toru Takemitsu — Water ways

    Michael Norris — Scintilla

    Karlheinz Essl — four2eight

    Dugal McKinnon — Christ lag in Todesbanden — mise en scène (world premiere)

    James Macmillan — Exsultet

    Scintillations and Exultations

    , St Andrews on the Terrace , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Ananda Sukarlan — pf

    Madeleine Pierard — voice

    PROGRAMME

    Julian Yu — Philopentatonia

    Gillian Whitehead — Manutaki

    James Wood — crying bird, echoing star

    Liza Lim — Diabolical Birds

    Jack Body — In the Curve of Song (world premiere)

    Olivier Messiaen — Oiseaux Exotiques

    Diabolical Birds

    , Auckland University School of Music

    PROGRAMME

    James Gardner — Fetish Effigies

    Gillian Whitehead — Manutaki

    Philip Brownlee — Harakeke

    John Rimmer — The Ripple Effect

    Chris Watson — Derailleurs

  • 2002

    , Marama Hall, University of Otago

    FEATURING

    Bridget Douglas — flute

    Donald Nicolson — harpsichord

    PROGRAMME

    Lachlan McKenzie — Flute Quintet, Mvt I (world premiere)

    György Ligeti — Continuum

    György Ligeti — Hungarian Rock

    Michael Norris — Wind Shear

    Michael Norris — Scintilla (world premiere)

    Jack Speirs — Three poems of Janet Frame

    György Ligeti — Chamber Concerto

    , The Parthenon

    FEATURING

    Jordan Reyne — voice

    Donald Nicolson — piano

    Jeff Henderson — sax

    PROGRAMME

    Miriama Young — Breathing on the A Train (world premiere)

    David Prior — Somewhere Submarine (NZ premiere)

    Franco Donatoni — HOT! (NZ premiere)

    Victoria Kelly — Short Song Cycle (world premiere)

    Theo Loevendie — Bons (NZ premiere)

    John Zorn — For Your Eyes Only (NZ premiere)

    Jazz Ain't Dead - it just smells funny!

    , Hunter Council Chamber , Wellington

    PROGRAMME

    Igor Stravinsky — Symphonies of Wind Instruments

    Luciano Berio — "Points on the curve to find..."

    Toru Takemitsu — Tree Line

    , Te Whaea

    FEATURING

    Hayden Chisholm — saxophone & voice

    Edward Allen — horn

    Murray Hickman — percussion

    PROGRAMME

    Hayden Chisholm — Magnificat 3 for saxophone, boy soprano, ensemble and tape (world premiere)

    Luigi Ceccarelli — Respiri for prepared horn and tape (NZ premiere)

    Pablo Furman — Concerto for Ensemble and Electronic Sounds (NZ premiere)

    Paul Doornbush — Continuity 3 (NZ premiere)

    Tristan Murail — L'esprit des dunes (NZ premiere)

    Digitalia

    , Wellington Town Hall

    FEATURING

    Strike — percussion quartet

    Pedro Carniero — percussion

    PROGRAMME

    David Downes — Noise

    Don McGlashan — Work Songs

    Luis Tinoco — Ends Meet

    John Psathas — Psyzygyzm

    Frank Zappa — The Black Page #2

    Steve Reich — Nagoya Marimbas

    Iannis Xenakis — Rebonds B

    Velocities

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    PROGRAMME

    Arnold Schönberg — Verklärte Nacht

    Anton Webern — Sinfonie Op. 21

    Karlheinz Essl — Mise en Scène

    Olga Neuwirth — Hooloomooloo

  • 2001

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Donald Nicolson — amplified harpsichord

    Pepe Becker — soprano

    PROGRAMME

    Iannis Xenakis — Waarg

    Douglas Lilburn — Wind Quintet

    Iannis Xenakis — Naama

    Jack Speirs — Three Poems of Janet Frame

    Iannis Xenakis — Thallein

    In Memoriam Iannis Xenakis

    , Former National Museum Building, Buckle St

    FEATURING

    Rowan Prior — cello

    Hamish McKeich — contrabassoon

    Bridget Douglas — flute

    PROGRAMME

    Rachel Clement — knitting dust

    Lissa Meridan — devil on a wire

    Chris Watson — Piano Quintet

    James Gardner — Fetish Effigies

    Ross Harris — Contra-Music (world premiere)

    Philip Brownlee — Harakeke

    John Rimmer — The Ripple Effect

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    PROGRAMME

    Neville Hall — The Way Time Accumulates

    John Bayer — Asana (world premiere)

    Karlheinz Essl — Entsagung (New Zealand premiere)

    Rachel Clement — knitting dust (world premiere)

    György Ligeti — Chamber Concerto

    Ambient and atmospheric chamber music
  • 2000

    , Ilott Theatre , Wellington

    FEATURING

    Bridget Douglas — flute

    Xenia Pestova — piano

    PROGRAMME

    Toru Takemitsu — Rain Spell (NZ premiere)

    James Gardner — Fetish Effigies (world premiere)

    Philip Brownlee — Synonta (NZ premiere)

    György Ligeti — Five pieces for Wind Quintet

    Kaija Saariaho — Lichtbogen (NZ premiere)

    Paul Booth — Impossible Colour (world premiere)

    Michael Norris — Wind Shear (world premiere)

    Jenny McLeod — For Seven

    Wind, Rain & Light

Stroma New Music Ensemble
c/- Michael Norris
New Zealand School of Music
PO Box 600
Wellington 6021
New Zealand

+64 21 211 0138
info@stroma.co.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stromanewmusicensemble


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