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NZTrio NZTrio thrives on pushing the boundaries of classical music. Their exhilarating interpretations of the masterworks, committed performances of fascinating new pieces and genre-crossing collaborations continue to impress audiences around NZ and the world.
Violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Sarah Watkins first joined forces in 2002 and were Ensemble in Residence at The University of Auckland from 2004-2009. From the outset, their artistry, intensity, and approachability has captivated music lovers throughout New Zealand, Brazil, the US and UK, China, Korea and Indonesia. Recent highlights include appearances at the 2009 Shanghai Spring Festival, the 2008 Beijing Modern Music Festival and performances of both the Beethoven Triple Concerto and Gareth Farr’s Triple Concerto with the Vector Wellington, Christchurch Symphony and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestras.
The Trio actively commissions works by leading New Zealand composers, and collaborates with musicians of diverse musical styles. More recently, their commitment to commissioning and performing new music has expanded to include emerging and established composers from China, with their 2009 concert season featuring works by Chen Yi, Musheng Chen and Mike Yuen.
2009 also saw NZTrio hosting Australian Composer Stuart Greenbaum for a residency as part of the Sounz Centre for New Zealand Music and the Australian Music Centre Trans-Tasman Composer Exchange. The commission that resulted from this collaboration was premiered in the trio’s 2010 Chamber Music New Zealand Kaleidoscope main centres tour.
Further highlights for 2010 have included an exciting collaborative performance with Finnish bass/accordion duo Lepisto & Lehti at the WOMAD festival in New Plymouth, the premiere of a joint composition by Gareth Farr and Richard Nunns for piano trio and taonga puoro (traditional Maori instruments), a new commission by composer/filmmaker David Downes at the New Zealand International Arts Festival, and a series of performances at the Shanghai World Expo in July.
Critical acclaim for the group’s performances extends to their ever-expanding catalogue of recorded work. NZTrio’s first CD Spark (which showcased a broad range of contemporary New Zealand trio pieces) was a finalist for best Classical Album at the NZ Music Awards in 2006; their 2008 Pacific Rim-focused release Bright Tide Moving Between was also named a finalist, receiving unanimously high praise from critics and listeners alike. In April 2010, their 3rd CD “Flourishes” was released, featuring the group’s trademark eclectic programming with works from Mozart through to Ravel, Arvo Part and two recent NZTrio commissions by Wayan Yudane and Eve de Castro-Robinson.
The trio are thrilled to be dressed in the fabulous creations of Auckland designer Helen Talbot
WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING:
It showed off the virtues of NZTrio – Sarah Watkins, Justine Cormack and Ashley Brown – superbly, all of them clearly relishing the opportunities for individual virtuosity and dazzling team playing that Farr gave them. In their short life the Trio has established themselves as the most outgoing and successful performers of New Zealand contemporary music. (Rod Biss, Listener online)
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Part of the reason, surely, was the extremely high quality of the playing. This piano trio has been in existence a few years now, and its playing has become increasingly more polished and responsive, to the point where it must be considered of full international quality. Each of the three players displays an instrumental mastery within the close-knit fabric of a chamber ensemble in a way that allows us to be comfortable in their handling of even the best known classical work. (John Button, Dominion Post)
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They perform with a balance and understanding that ensures the extra magical quality to their playing that makes it truly memorable. (Peter Williams, Hawkes Bay Today)
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...The New Zealand Trio of violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Sarah Watkins combining not only ideally with the orchestra [in the Beethoven Triple Concerto] but were also wonderfully self-sufficient as a tightly integrated chamber group…The trio's vitality nearly disguised the repititious writing in the finale…From all perspectives this performance was the evening's perfection.(Ian Dando - Christchurch Star)
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Not only are they technically sure as individuals, but their ensemble playing, even in the most demanding items, was impeccable. (David Sell, Christchurch Press)
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NZTrio's first album is exemplary of contemporary chamber music at its finest… NZTrio finely attune themselves to the demands of each work, and in turn demonstrate their adaptability and dedication to the contemporary piano trio. A "must-have" for lovers of chamber music. (SOUNZ - Centre for New Zealand Music)
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[NZTrio] swept us up and swept us along… a wonder to behold and hear (Gerald Carpenter for The Independent, Santa Barbara, USA)
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The international group has performed together as "NZTrio" since 2002 and their style can accurately be described as a fusion of modern and ethnic sounds -- sounds they have practiced to perfection and which make absolute sense. The three musicians are recognized as talented soloists but together they blend skill and passion into performances celebrated by both chamber music connoisseurs and novices alike. They are acclaimed for an innovative repertoire and dynamic interpretations of both traditional and contemporary classical music. A warm reception from a young crowd eagerly awaited their performance Friday. (Kadek Krishna Adidharma, Contributor, Yogyakarta - The Jakarta Post, Indonesia)
NZTrio prefers to tailor its concerts to each individual situation/event. Here are samples of programmes on offer in 2009, along with some that have been presented in the last 2 years;
2009
Haydn Piano Trio in e minor Hob XV 12
Chen Yi Tibetan Tunes
Wayan Yudane New Work (NZTrio commission)
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Mike Yuen Shades
Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1 in d minor, opus 49
or Dvorak Piano Trio in f minor
Haydn Piano Trio in E Flat major, Hob XV 29
Ravel Piano Trio in A minor
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Wayane Yudane New Work (NZTrio commission)
Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.2 in c minor, Opus 66
2008
Beyond the Pale Tour:
Beethoven Piano Trio in E Flat, Opus1, No.1
Phil Dadson (NZ) Firestarters (NZTrio commission)
Ross Edwards (Australia) Piano Trio
Brahms Piano Trio in c minor, Opus 101
Hong Kong:
Beethoven Piano Trio in E Flat Major Opus 1, No.1
John Psathas (NZ) Helix (NZTrio commission)
Bright Sheng (China/USA) Four movements for Piano Trio
Ravel Piano Trio in a minor
Beijing Modern Music Festival, Central Conservatory
Jack Body (NZ) Fire in the Belly (NZTrio commission)
Bright Sheng (China/USA) Four movements for Piano Trio
Ross Edwards (Australia) Piano Trio
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Hiroyuki Yamamoto (Japan) Ultro citroque
Yu Pengfei (China) New Commission
John Psathas (NZ) Helix (NZTrio commission)
Fire and Water Tour:
Gareth Farr (NZ) Ahi
Hiroyuki Yamamoto (Japan) Ultro citroque
Jennifer Higdon (USA) Piano Trio
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Eve De Castro-Robinson (NZ) 'At water's birth' (NZTrio Commission)
Raimundo Penaforte (USA) An Eroica Trio
2007
Fuel Festival:
Jack Body (NZ) Fire in the Belly (NZTrio commission)
Bright Sheng Four Movements for Piano Trio
Ross Harris Senryu (NZTrio commission)
Michael Norris - dirty pixels (NZTrio commission)
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Toru Takemitsu - Between Tides
John Psathas - Helix (NZTrio commission)
Dynamic Extremes:
Jack Body Fire in the Belly (NZTrio commission)
Ross Harris Senryu (NZTrio commission)
Chausson Trio in G Minor Opus 3
Joaquin Turina Trio No 1 Opus 35
Paul Schoenfield Cafe Music
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