Our 2026 Series has arrived!
DREAMSCAPE explores the depth and lyrical warmth of Robert Schumann’s piano trios, paired with musical gems from Aotearoa, the USA, India, Turkey and Poland, passing through surreal and unexpected sonic worlds.
Hypnotique presents a diverse array of works that challenges expectations of traditional chamber music. Uzbek-born Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin pays homage to Haydn, blending classical and contemporary styles in Calliope Dreaming, ahead of Fauré’s Piano Trio in D minor with lyrical elegance and lush harmonic textures, contrasting with the percussive and electronic influences in Le Boeuf’s jazz-adjacent Obliquely Wrecked. A whirlwind of motion typifies NZ composer Lyell Cresswell’s virtuosic Moto Perpetuo, then finally, the full Romantic immersion of Schönberg’s Verklärte Nacht is structured around the five stanzas of a poem; deeply transcendent and utterly beautiful.
THE PROGRAMME
Elena Kats-Chernin | Calliope Dreaming
Gabriel Fauré | Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 120
Pascal Le Boeuf | Obliquely Wrecked
Lyell Cresswell (NZ) | Moto perpetuo
Arnold Schönberg | Verklärte Nacht arr. for piano trio
DATES AND VENUES
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2026 SUMMER SERIES
Join us for Groove Café, where the music is strong and the vibe is even stronger.
On tour Feb/March 2026 to venues across Aotearoa.
John Psathas’ Island Songs bring sun, surf, and a dash of Kiwi cool – no sunscreen required. Then you’re kept guessing with Eliodoro Sollima’s Tre movimenti, leaping from atonal intrigue to melodic surprises faster than you can say “cin cin”. Vivian Fung’s Ominous Machine whirs, glitches, and grooves like your favourite gadget on a caffeine rush. And it all ends with Nikolai Kapustin’s Divertissement, the ultimate musical cocktail: equal parts classical poise and jazz swagger, shaken (not stirred) into four sparkling movements.
This concert features guest pianist Stephen De Pledge
THE PROGRAMME
John Psathas (NZ) – Island Songs
Eliodoro Sollima – Tre movimenti
Vivian Fung – Ominous Machine
Nikolai Kapustin – Divertissement in 4 Movements
DATES AND VENUES
Visit our events page to see when we’ll be near you.
ANNOUNCING OUR NEW 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.
NZTrio is recognised as a ‘national treasure’ and ‘New Zealand’s most indispensable ensemble’ (NZ Herald).
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MERGE
Featuring superb compositions by Christos Hatzis, Salina Fisher, Josef Suk and Erich Korngold, Merge is an amalgamation of NZTrio’s individual musical personalities both on and off the stage, expressed through our shared love of chamber music. “We feel very lucky to be sharing our joyful, creative and collaborative experience of recording this album with you during this particularly bewildering time. As we all navigate this ever-changing world, constantly looking to the future and the past, we hope this music gives you a chance to appreciate some beauty in the present moment.”
© Copyright 2025 NZTrio
