2025 Media Release

NZTRIO ANNOUNCES 2025 PROGRAMME WITH FRENCH MASTERPIECES AND DYNAMIC COLLABORATIONS

NZTrio He Taonga Wairere is thrilled to announce a packed 2025 programme, brimming with exhilarating performances, big transitions and bold collaborations. At the heart of the year is the three part concert series celebrating French Romanticism alongside vibrant works from Aotearoa and beyond.

Throughout the year NZTrio will also perform at iconic festivals including WOMAD and the Wānaka Festival of Colour, alongside exciting partnerships with renowned creatives including Black Grace, Finn Andrews, Manukau Symphony Orchestra and a new arrangement by Salina Fisher of Strauss’ Four Last Songs, performed with soprano Emma Pearson for Chamber Music New Zealand.

Founding member and cellist Ashley Brown, who last year announced his departure from NZTrio after 23 impressive years of dedication and passion, will have his final performances during NZTrio’s summer series Groove Café in February and March.

NZTrio’s 2025 series, which sees the incomparable Amalia Hall (violin) and Somi Kim (piano) joined by guest cellists, is presented across the motu from May through to November, heading everywhere from Auckland, Wellington, Whakatane, Motueka, Napier and more.

“2025 is a monumental year for NZTrio, as we move to a new iteration of the group after 23 wonderful years with Ashley. We can’t wait to share the different energies and personalities our guest cellists will bring to the eclectic music we have planned for the year.”

“Our programmes shine a light on three epic French composers who each have a distinct sound, but also embody the music of the 19th and early 20th century that was emerging from France. In typical NZTrio style, you’ll hear these alongside music you’ve probably never heard before, but may fall in love with.” says Amalia Hall and Somi Kim.

In the first programme in the series, Magnifique, prepare to be enchanted by Franz Schubert’s ethereal Notturno, the introspective landscapes of Peteris Vasks’ Episodi e canto perpetuo, a captivating new work by NZ composer Linda Dallimore, and the French elegance of Saint-Saëns’ Piano Trio No. 2. This programme will be performed with internationally acclaimed and award winning guest cellist, Matthias Balzat.

Later in the year, NZTrio presents Fantastique with guest cellist Callum Hall, brother of Amalia. Fantastique is a programme of contrasts with works from Joachín Turina, Shostakovich, Chen Yi, César Franck and a new commission by one of Aotearoa’s most acclaimed composers, John Psathas. Closing out the 2025 programme, Hypnotique is a whirlwind of motion with works from Lyell Cresswell, Pascal Le Boeuf, Gabriel Fauré, Elena Kats-Chernin and Arnold Schönberg. The Hypnotique guest cellist is still to be announced.

Tickets and more information at: www.nztrio.com/event-directory

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*Note: correct spelling ‘NZTrio’ – no spaces, no ‘the’, not ‘The New Zealand Trio’

Hi-res images available here.

For more information and interviews contact:

Ali Nicoll van Leeuwen at Elephant Publicity:

027 428 5080 | ali@elephantpublicity.co.nz

DATES AND BOOKING DETAILS:

GROOVE CAFÉ