JUMP INTO NZTRIO’S SECOND OFFERING FOR 2026

Leading Aotearoa chamber music ensemble NZTrio He Taonga Wairere are pleased to announce Space Jump, the second instalment in their 2026 series. The concert will see NZTrio head to Hamilton, Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington and Greytown this August, promising a thrilling, gravity-defying musical journey that bridges extreme sports, multicultural fusion, and deep German Romanticism.

For Space Jump, pianist Somi Kim returns after parental leave, joining Amalia Hall (violin) and Matthias Balzat (cello) to continue the trio’s legacy of world-class collaboration. In a colourful series that takes audiences from the edge of space to the heart of Europe, Space Jump is a masterclass in musical curation, proving why NZTrio remains at the absolute forefront of New Zealand’s contemporary arts scene.

The tour takes its name from Turkish composer Fazıl Say’s gripping work Space Jump, directly inspired by Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking 2012 skydive from the edge of space. Capturing the high-adrenaline tension of a 39-kilometre freefall through the stratosphere, the piece shatters traditional classical boundaries with its driving rhythms and intense cinematic energy.

Space Jump opens the programme, then moves to the playful energy and radiant adoration of Schumann’s lyrical Piano Trio No. 2. The concert also includes a new commission for NZTrio by South African/New Zealand composer Keith Moss, bringing with it a tangible sense of place. The piece, Field Notes in Autumn, evokes the change of seasons settling over a Wellington streetscape. The concert concludes with a striking work by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail, bringing a rich fusion of Indian Hindustani and Western musical traditions, translating traditional ragas into a new sonic space.

“We love music that tells a vivid story, and Space Jump is about as visceral as it gets,” says NZTrio violinist Amalia Hall. “To go from the sheer adrenaline of a supersonic freefall to the profound, grounded beauty of the other works in this lineup is exactly the kind of musical rollercoaster we love taking our audiences on.”

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

Connect with @nztrio
www.facebook.com/nztrio
www.instagram.com/nztrio
Note: correct spelling ‘NZTrio’ – no spaces, no ‘the’, not ‘The New Zealand Trio’

DATES AND VENUES:

SPACE JUMP
15 Aug – Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton
16 Aug – Auckland Concert Chamber
21 Aug – Lawson Field Theatre, Gisborne
22 Aug – St Paul’s Church, Napier
23 Aug – Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington
30 Aug – Greytown, 57 Wood Street – tickets through efjac@xtra.co.nz

Hi-res images available here.

For more information and interviews contact:
Stephanie Butler at Elephant Publicity:
020 4169 9087 | steph@elephantpublicity.co.nz

NZTRIO WELCOMES NEW PERMANENT CELLIST

NZTrio He Taonga Wairere are thrilled to announce the appointment of new permanent cellist, Matthias Balzat. Matthias, an award-winning performer, brings a wealth of local and international performing experience to the trio’s next chapter.

Matthias will take over from founding member Ashley Brown, and will join the extraordinarily talented Amalia Hall (violin) and Somi Kim (piano), who have been with NZTrio since 2019. He will join the trio on a guest basis this year before taking on the role permanently in February 2026. Matthias will have his first performances with the group during the Magnifique concerts in May, before joining NZTrio’s Chamber Music New Zealand tour of Four Last Songs with acclaimed soprano Emma Pearson in October and NZTrio’s Hypnotique tour in November.

Somi and Amalia are thrilled with the appointment, and say:

“Matthias’ name was one of the first to spring to mind in our search for a new cellist, and we are excited to start this new chapter of NZTrio with him. We knew after just minutes of rehearsing with him that he was the one! Matti’s energy and musicianship completely align with our core values at NZTrio, and we’re going to have so much fun on and off stage together.”

Matthias’ musician journey began at the age of three, and has since taken him around the globe. Completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen, he also holds a prestigious Konzertexamen and Master’s degree from the Robert Schumann Hochschule under Pieter Wispelwey in Düsseldorf. A seasoned performer, Matthias has graced stages across Europe, United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa, as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio.

His appearances as a soloist include the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonietta Köln, St. Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra, Auckland Chamber Orchestra, Robert Schumann Hochschule Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. He has also performed at major festivals such as Aspen Music Festival, Classiche Forme, and Edinburgh Fringe.

Over the course of his career to date, Matthias has worked with many renowned musicians, including Daniel Müller-Schott, Johannes Moser, and Wolfgang Schmidt, and has collaborated with notable conductors including Guy Noble, Benjamin Northey, and Rüdiger Bohn. He has won numerous prestigious competitions including the Accordi Musicali International Cello Competition, 69th ROSL Annual Music Competition, Sieghardt-Rometsch Concerto Competition, and the New Zealand National Concerto Competition, twice.

Matthias performs with a Reiner Beilharz 2014 Cello, accompanied by a Klaus Grünke bow.

Matthias says: “I’m really excited to be joining NZTrio as their new cellist. After several years working as a freelance musician in Germany, the chance to return home to Aotearoa for a role like this feels incredibly special. NZTrio has long been a group I’ve admired—for their artistry, adventurous spirit, and deep connection to New Zealand’s musical landscape. Stepping into this role is both a personal homecoming and a professional milestone. To take it on fully, I’ll be unfortunately reducing the number of my commitments in Europe, yet driven to focusing my energy on this next chapter with the Trio.”

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

Connect with @nztrio
www.facebook.com/nztrio
www.twitter.com/nztrio
www.instagram.com/nztrio

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

Hi-res images available here.

For media enquiries, contact:
Stephanie Butler
Elephant Publicity
steph@elephantpublicity.co.nz | 020 4169 9087

Magnifique

Let music take you somewhere unexpected.

With Magnifique, NZTrio invites you on a powerful emotional journey — from heart-swelling romance to playful twists and moments of quiet reflection.

At the centre is a lush French Romantic masterpiece, surrounded by music that brings colour, intensity, and soul — including rich influences from Aotearoa, Latvia and Austria.

ON TOUR IN MAY

2 May 7pm
St Andrew’s on the Terrace
Wellington

3 May 5pm
ANZAC Hall
Featherston

4 May 2.30pm
St Peter’s Anglican Church
Palmerston North

11 May 5pm
Concert Chamber
Auckland Town Hall

14 May 7pm
Cambridge Town Hall
Cambridge

15 May 7pm
St Luke’s Church
Rotorua

16 May 1pm
Church of St George & St John
Whakatane

THE PROGRAMME

Franz Schubert | Notturno in E-flat major D.897
Peteris Vasks | Episodi e canto perpetuo
Linda Dallimore (NZ) | new work
Camille Saint-Saëns | Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor

If you’re ready to feel something real — joy, wonder, connection — this is the concert for you.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT OUR CONCERTS

✨ “…an intelligent and sophisticated approach to chamber music.” – NZ Arts Review

✨“some of Aotearoa’s most fearsome classical music talents.” – Classical Chromatics

LISTEN TO PAST CONCERTS

Visit our YouTube channel to watch clips from past concert.

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

Connect with @nztrio

www.facebook.com/nztrio

www.twitter.com/nztrio

www.instagram.com/nztrio

*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

22 Feb – Waiheke Musical Museum, Auckland – tickets

23 Feb – Symphonia Hall, Herne Bay, Auckland – tickets

09 Mar – Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton – tickets

17 Mar – Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland – tickets

MAGNIFIQUE

2 May – St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington – tickets

3 May – Featherston Anzac Hall – tickets

4 May – St Peter’s, Palmerston North – tickets

11 May – Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber – tickets & season pass
14 May – Cambridge Town Hall – tickets

15 May – St Luke’s, Rotorua – tickets

16 May – Church of St George & St John, Whakatane – tickets

FANTASTIQUE

26 Jul – Chanel Arts Centre, Motueka – tickets

27 Jul – Nelson Centre of Musical Arts – tickets

01 Aug – Lawson Field Theatre, Gisborne – tickets

02 Aug – St Paul’s, Napier – tickets

03 Aug – Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber – tickets

30 Aug – St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington – tickets

31 Aug – Greytown Music Society – tickets via efjacooke@gmail.co.nz

10 Sep – Yarragon Studio, Melbourne

11 Sep – Tempo Rubato, Melbourne

13 Sep – “NZTrio X Collectivo” – Thomas Dixon Centre, Brisbane

HYPNOTIQUE

09 Nov – St Andrew’s on the Sea, Whitianga – tickets

15 Nov – The Old Library, Whangārei – tickets

16 Nov – Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber – tickets

28 Nov – Dunedin Public Art Gallery – tickets

29 Nov – The Piano, Christchurch – tickets

30 Nov – St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington – tickets

OTHER PROGRAMMES

14 Mar – WOMAD, Finn Andrews X NZTrio – tickets

22 Mar – Auckland Arts Festival, Black Grace This Is Not A Retrospective – tickets

02 Apr – Wānaka Festival of Colour, Subtle Dances – tickets

13 Apr – Ashley Brown’s farewell concert, Auckland Opera Studio

24 Aug – Manukau Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven Triple Concerto – tickets

29 Sept – NZTrio Composing Competition Winners’ Concert – entry by koha

8 – 18 Oct – CMNZ tour, Four Last Songs (8 centres) – tickets

Work with NZTrio

NZTrio invites expressions of interest for the position of NZTrio Cellist. This is a 0.75FTE permanent contract role, based in Auckland, New Zealand (domestic & international touring involved). Start date is flexible.

Eligibility: Applications are open to New Zealand and Australian citizens, and Permanent Residents of New Zealand only. It is expected that a suitable level of tertiary education, and subsequent experience have been attained.

Applications: Please email the following to manager@nztrio.com:

A CV of a maximum 2 pages, including contact details of 2 referees
A link to a recent unedited video recording of a movement from a Bach cello suite and a Romantic work with piano (combined maximum of 15-20 minutes)
A link to a spoken introduction about yourself and why you’d be a good fit for NZTrio

Application deadline: 22 January 2025

Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an online interview.

Auditions: To be held in Auckland, New Zealand, in March 2025.

Applicants selected for an audition will be sent further instructions with an audition excerpt list.

Attendance at the audition is at the applicant’s own expense.

Following the audition, applicants may be offered a trial period in late 2025, and availability for this will be discussed.

Feedback will not be given to candidates at any stage of the process.

Attributes

Beyond technical ability, we are looking for someone who can:

contribute ideas and energy to artistic collaborations whether musical or cross-genre
engage pro-actively and cooperatively in rehearsal, offering and accepting suggestions on musical and technical levels
speak clearly and approachably for introductions in concerts, and engage with audience members after the concerts
engage with patrons and supporters in an appropriate and meaningful way
present our educational sessions in an engaging and relatable way
speak confidently to the board during meetings and present informal reports
manage own time to fit in private practice as well as group rehearsals, prioritising NZTrio work above other commitments
contribute positively to team meetings as well as the trio’s administrative, strategic and social media tasks etc.
engage in publicity and marketing initiatives, including interviews across various media
interact appropriately with hosts, concert promoters, festival directors, artist liaisons etc
be comfortable with traveling/touring, various modes of transport (including potentially sharing the driving of a hire car), and different types of accommodation

We are looking for an outstanding cellist who shares our passion for bringing an eclectic mix of music to life with committed and dynamic performances – someone who is enthusiastic and willing to embrace lesser known repertoire, new commissions, and fresh approaches to masterworks.

NZTrio has always believed in connecting with audiences and supporters through a relaxed approach to concert presentation (including spoken intros) and informal ‘meet and greets’ after concerts. We’re looking for someone who is friendly, engaging and will continue to inspire our audiences to come along for the ride.

We have every confidence that our new cellist will bring their own experiences, artistry and personality, contributing to a new and vibrant iteration of the group – this is, without doubt, an exciting time in the evolution of NZTrio.

About NZTrio He Taonga Wairere

With a reputation for vibrant, contemporary programming and cross-genre collaborations, NZTrio He Taonga Wairere is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading piano trio.

Established in 2002, we specialise in contemporary repertoire, performing existing and newly commissioned works alongside traditional masterworks, as well as engaging in a range of collaborations, festivals and educational initiatives. Touring both domestically and internationally, our activities and operations are supported by registered charity NZTrio Foundation, alongside a general manager and assistant manager.

Purpose

To honour artistic integrity and connect a diverse range of audiences to the experience of live piano trio music.

Vision

To be recognised as one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost chamber ensembles; highly regarded internationally as artistic and cultural ambassadors who advance the profile of New Zealand music.

Mission

Through music, we strive to celebrate the diverse cultures of Aotearoa New Zealand with local and global audiences; to expose people to the impact, breadth and relevance of the live piano trio experience, while fostering and championing New Zealand music alongside heritage piano trio repertoire.

Values

Artistic Integrity
We are committed to excellence, underpinned by our values-based approach to our work as an organisation and in partnership with others.

Relevance
We are committed to being relatable, engaging and meaningful in our concert programmes which represent diverse musical styles and feature contemporary New Zealand composers.

Pioneering
We are distinctive, and our success is fed by and relies on always being intrepid, edgy, curious, bold and explorative.

Collaborative
We are small; we take an organic, relatable and inclusive approach to working together – as a trio, as a non-hierarchical organisation and with our partners, supporters and audiences.

Resourceful
We are effective, using right-sized processes to plan, prioritise and deliver value in an adaptable and sustainable way.

NZTrio Board Member – Jack Bourke

NZTrio Board Member Jack Bourke, has always been driven by a deep commitment to community empowerment and inclusion, and a passion for the arts. Read on to find out what is behind this drive, and what he’s looking to achieve in the future.

A proud New Zealand-born Tongan, Jack has an impressive background that includes serving as CEO in the Caribbean for a global telecommunications company, where he has achieved significant professional milestones. Notably, Jack has mentored eight female CEOs as part of his remit, showcasing his dedication to fostering diversity and gender equality in leadership roles.

Key values such as communication, transparency, honesty, and respect have guided him throughout his career, enabling him to overcome challenges as he took a less traditional path to becoming a CEO. By letting his work and results speak for themselves, Jack has proven that perseverance and dedication can break down barriers.

A unique skill that Jack possesses is his ability to connect people and ideas, bringing together great minds to achieve remarkable outcomes. Currently, he is involved in the Symphony Centre Development in The Aotea Arts Quarter, a groundbreaking project that combines transportation-oriented development with a commitment to community and the arts sector. This initiative reflects his vision of creating synergies between the private sector and the arts, believing that arts patronage can lead to incremental commercial outcomes.

Looking to the future, Jack aspires to continue breaking down barriers for diverse communities, striving to see more representation in governance and senior corporate roles. Community has always been Jack’s source of inspiration, as he believes that true success lies in empowering others to succeed. His journey with Digicel, witnessing the transformative impact of mobile telephony on developing nations, has reinforced his belief in accessibility for all and the importance of eradicating the digital divide in the 21st century.

Through his leadership and advocacy, Jack seeks to make a lasting impact on the arts and community, driving positive change and creating opportunities for all to thrive.

Guest Artist – Liu-Yi Retallick

Guest Artist Liu-Yi Retallick will join us for our Summer Series – Groove Cafe.

Violinist Liu-Yi Retallick joined the Auckland Philharmonia as Associate Concertmaster in 2016. Prior to moving to New Zealand, Liu-Yi spent most of her life growing up in Malaysia, before moving to Singapore to pursue her music degree.

Whilst at university, Liu-Yi was part of a number of ensembles, with which she toured South-East Asia, and Europe. After graduating, Liu-Yi won first prize at the Singapore National Piano and Violin Competition, as well as the Malaysian Youth Foundation Competition. She then took freelance contracts with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Since joining the Auckland Philharmonia, Liu-Yi has performed as a soloist with the orchestra, and taken part in numerous chamber concerts as part of the In Your Neighbourhood Series, Mt Eden Chamber Music Festival, as well as the Akaroa Music Festival. She continues to play in orchestras in Asia and Europe when her orchestra schedule allows. Liu-Yi is a current member of the Jade String Quartet and a founding member of the Dégustriō. Liu-Yi has also been a guest with chamber ensembles that have toured to New Zealand, including the Sydney Art Quartet and Sonoro Quartet.

In between bush walks and visiting the beach, a love of New Zealand gin has kept her very busy!

Summer Series – Groove Cafe

Join NZTrio for a refreshing 1 hour concert of vibrant quirky music that is bound to brighten up your summer.

Kenji Bunch | Groovebox
Tabea Squire | Der Tanz
Paul Schoenfield | Café Music

Prepare yourself to be whirled away in this toe-tapping journey through quirky rhythms, vibrant city nightlife, and the colourful spectrum of jazz. Kenji Bunch’s rhythmic Groovebox captures the essence of New York City between dusk & dawn, before NZ composer Tabea Squire leads us on a strangely off-beat dance with an “upbeat owl”, and we finish in style with Paul Schoenfield’s jazzy romp through a Minneapolis steakhouse.

Tickets $22.50 – $45 + Fees

1 hour concert with no interval

16 February 7pm
Uxbridge Theatre
Howick

18 February 7pm
Pah Homestead
Hillsborough

Homeland Three: Dumky

The future and past collide as modern composers draw on their heritage to create something new, before we embark upon the joy and nostalgia of Dvořák’s famous “Dumky” Trio.

Prepare to be swept away by the heartfelt melodies of Novak’s dramatic one-movement ballade, written when he was simultaneously gazing back in time to traditional Czech folk melodies, yet also looking ahead to tonal modernism. Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch’s evocative Three Nocturnes showcase his Jewish heritage with staggering impressionistic beauty, before Frank Martin takes us on a rambunctious journey through popular Irish melodies that will be sure to awaken your inner dancer. We return to the sounds of Aotearoa with an exciting new work by celebrated NZ composer Ross Harris, before we embark upon the joy and nostalgia of Dvorak’s famous “Dumky” Trio, overflowing with a wealth of village songs and Czech country dances.

The Programme

Ernest Bloch | Three Nocturnes
Vitezslav Novák | Piano Trio No. 2, Quasi una ballata
Frank Martin | Trio sur des mélodies populaires irlandaises
Ross Harris | Prendre ses rêves pour des realités (New NZTrio commission)
Antonín Dvořák | Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 “Dumky”

Dates and Venues

3 November 7pm
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

4 November 5pm
Nathan Homestead
Manurewa

5 November 5pm
Waiheke Musical Museum

22 November 7pm
Lawson Field Theatre

23 November 7pm
Public Trust Hall
Wellington

25 November 2pm
The Old Library
Whangārei

26 November 7pm
Concert Chamber
Auckland Town Hall

Composing Competition 2023: Trip the Light Fantastic!

Winners’ Concert

Sunday 8 October / 5pm
The University of Auckland School of Music Theatre

This is a free concert – koha appreciated ❤️
Donate here

Haere mai and welcome to the 2023 Winners’ Concert of NZTrio’s 5th biennial tertiary Composing Competition: Trip the Light Fantastic!

The brief this year was for applicants to create a new work inspired by this phrase and its connotations. Once again we have been heartened by the enthusiastic response by all levels of tertiary composing students and lecturers from up and down the country.

The overall standard and variety of voices within the 21 entries received was impressive, and the resulting works are truly explorative, evidencing each composer’s distinct musical language. Fourteen scores were selected to progress to the second stage, for which we held workshops in person at the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Canterbury. The works were presented and discussed, and feedback was offered, at which point the candidates had the opportunity to tweak and adjust their works before final submission. In collaboration with New Zealand composer Samuel Holloway,
we selected the six winning works that you will hear this evening.

For us, this competition is a way of having meaningful interaction with some amazingly talented students early in their careers and simultaneously offering Aotearoa’s best emerging composers invaluable exposure to a professional ensemble. As proud supporters of New Zealand music, we look forward to watching the careers of tonight’s winners (and indeed, all those who submitted works) truly blossom and flourish.

Amalia, Ashley & Somi

Guest composer: David Mason
In Search of a Voice
New work premiere, composed with the support of Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.

Growing up in the 21st century alongside the internet and social media age is a fascinating experience but also an alienating one. I have had the opportunity to be exposed to such a wide variety of cultures and ideas. However, finding your own space in this vast ocean of styles, ideas and aesthetics can be as daunting as it is exciting. In Search of a Voice directly contributes to my personal journey in finding my place in the world. Specifically my journey in 2022 to reconnect with my Māori heritage. The work embodies many of the different influences I’ve encountered in my life whilst finding ways to subtly reference Māori musical styles including Taonga Puoro and Karanga.

Cameron Monteath
University of Otago
Wagnisfreude

In his 1645 poem L’Allegro, where the term trip the light fantastic was first coined, John Milton invokes the mythical figure Euphrosyne, goddess of joy, mirth and good cheer. Feelings of joy and excitement can show themselves in many different ways. Wagnisfreude (translated literally as ‘risk-joy’) ultimately seeks to explore the relationship between risk, joy, and personal growth, as well as the different types of risk we encounter — whether perilous and daring, or more personal and intimate. The outer sections of the work acknowledge the thrilling, potentially treacherous nature of risk-taking, while a slower, introspective middle section shows that joy can also reveal itself through personal risks and vulnerabilities. Meaning ‘to dance nimbly to music’ the term trip the light fantastic is further evoked through a swift waltz-like meter, which enables the element of good cheer to always act as an undercurrent to the more astringent dissonances.

Lucy Pollock
University of Otago
Pīpīwharauroa

I’ve always had an interest in birds, so I wanted to include some birdsong in this piece. I had recently found this painting by Don Binney of a Pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo) flying over Te Henga (Bethells Beach). The shining cuckoo centring the painting appears like a symbol of hope, so I decided to adapt the Pīpīwharauroa’s call into the violin part. The first instance of this motif is in bars 2-5. It then appears at different intervals throughout the piece, usually to signal the beginning of a new section to the piece. This usage matches its symbolism — in Māori culture the Pīpīwharauroa represents new beginnings, as explained by the following whakataukī (Māori proverb): “ka tangi te wharauroa, ko nga karere a Mahuru,” meaning “when the shining cuckoo cries it is the messenger of Spring.”

Sebastián Rodríguez Bonil
University of Auckland
Trio Op. 10 No. 1

This work was inspired by the phrase in two different ways: a literal and a metaphorical one. The literal inspiration resulted with a rhythmic transcription of the phrase in morse code, which is used near the beginning of the piece The complex rhythms that resulted from that transcription set the base of the rhythmic style used in the first section of the song. The metaphorical one was quite different. As a composer I imagined a trip through rays of light, as if I were inside a sci-fi movie or videogame. I immediately related that with the sound of Stravinsky’s Petrushka chord, and Villa-lobos’ O Polichinelo, which led to the choice of a politonality between the black and the white keys of the piano. Rhythmically speaking, however, it reminded me of the permanent speed feeling you can get from Adams’ A Short Ride in a Fast Machine.

Hanzhong Kang
University of Auckland
Drunk Light Dance 醉光舞 (Han-Yin Method)

The compositional method I employ is called the “HanYin Method,” which I self-created at the end of 2022. Han-Yin method is an interdisciplinary study of Microtones, Mandarin and Ancient Chinese Literature, combining 26 letters and 24 microtones. Based on this method, every letter matches its specific pitch. Following this method, the three characters “醉光舞” (Zuì Guāng Wuˇ) have formed with six pitches and a Buff note ( letter “Z” — Fermata). These six pitches have generated their own mode, harmony, and colours. This 10-minute piano trio is composed solely using these six pitches: C, C#, E, 3/4#F, #A, and B. It aims to utilize the surface form (Character) to reverse-engineer and uncover the profound essence (Poetry) through this musical “translation” method.

Nicholas Denton Protsack
Victoria University of Wellington
Keybell (Movement 1)

Inspiration is a fleeting and ephemeral thing. I have been fortunate enough to experience states of inspiration that have lasted for days or even weeks, and during these illuminating times everything seems to reveal in itself a hidden and sublime life, and the very world seems to buzz, with a deep and almost cosmic hum. Sometimes it’s as if a flash of fantastic light has struck my eyes, and what I see before me is a world different from the one I know. Sound, landscape, and emotion are all sides of the same coin in my mind, and the way I experience inspiration can be personified by all three: It is an otherworldly landscape of undulating hills and pulsing, celestial lights; of choruses of bells and a deep, glowing hum. It is the landscape I have attempted to capture and distill in my work Keybell (2023) for piano trio.

Bjorn Arntsen
University of Waikato
Pacific Notion

This composition emerges as a stream of consciousness that flows, is felt, punctuated, interrupted, shaped, and then crafted. It does not emerge from a verbal place, but from an idea of a certain time and place, namely the urban music of Aotearoa in the early part of this century, especially the sounds heard on “trips” to the clubs and arenas around the country, from electronica, dance, drum & bass to hip hop and trance. With the origin of the phrase attributed to John Milton, Pacific Notion takes several cues from Milton’s poem L’Allegro, as seen in the score; casting off gloom to embrace the delights of a glorious spring day and certainly the idea that “trip the light fantastic” is to dance nimbly or lightly to music…

Programme notes are the composers’ own words, abridged.

Ngā mihi nui! The 2023 NZTrio Composing Competition is generously supported by the Freemasons Foundation. We’re also hugely grateful to guest judge Samuel Holloway, and to all the music schools’ staff from the Universities of Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago for their generosity of support, advice and enthusiasm, without which the competition would not have been this successful.

JUMP INTO NZTRIO’S SECOND OFFERING FOR 2026

NZTRIO WELCOMES NEW PERMANENT CELLIST

NZTrio He Taonga Wairere are thrilled to announce the appointment of new permanent cellist, Matthias Balzat. Matthias, an award-winning performer, brings a wealth of local and international performing experience to the trio’s next chapter.

Magnifique

Let music take you somewhere unexpected.

ON TOUR IN MAY

THE PROGRAMME

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT OUR CONCERTS

LISTEN TO PAST CONCERTS

2025 Media Release

NZTRIO ANNOUNCES 2025 PROGRAMME WITH FRENCH MASTERPIECES AND DYNAMIC COLLABORATIONS

Work with NZTrio

Attributes

About NZTrio He Taonga Wairere

NZTrio Board Member – Jack Bourke

Guest Artist – Liu-Yi Retallick

Summer Series – Groove Cafe

Homeland Three: Dumky

The Programme

Dates and Venues

Composing Competition 2023: Trip the Light Fantastic!

Winners’ Concert

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