Recordings

NZTrio features on this release of music by John Psathas - performing Helix, a work commissioned by NZTrio in 2006.The performance has been described by New Zealand Herald reviewer Wiilliam Dart as one that 'guarantees goodsebumps' and he rates the album 5 out of 5.

Helix is a truly 21st century album. Inspired by an eclectic range of musical interests, the album takes the listener on a millennia-leaping journey, from the sounds of the ancient Mediterranean, through the dance music of 18th century Italy, to the latest dubstep and drum’n’bass beats of 21st century South East London. The album features stellar performances by NZTrio, the New Zealand String Quartet and Donald Nicolson.

FLOURISHES is the third album by one of New Zealand’s most accomplished classical groups. Playing with the boundaries of contemporary chamber music, NZTrio brings its much-heralded blend of contrasting works to its new album, which provides a snapshot of the type of programme the group loves to perform live.

Recent NZTrio commissions by Wayan Yudane and Eve de Castro Robinson are very much at home among the masterworks of Mozart and Ravel, with Arvo Pärt’s lovely take on a Mozart Adagio in the middle, forming what the trio calls a ‘fascinating and unexpected mix’.

FLOURISHES was a finalist for Best Classical Album at the 2010 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

bright tide moving between is NZTrio’s first outing on Rattle Records, after Spark, its critically acclaimed 2005 debut on Trust. The album signals a maturing artistic focus as NZTrio keeps one foot proudly on the shores of Aotearoa, while taking its listeners on a journey out through the Pacific Rim.

Bright Tide’s thematic focus extends through a richly illustrated package, to provide a sensual aural and visual experience affirming that beauty is easily at home in contemporary classical music, right here, right now.

The album represents a distillation of the experience of some very finely honed live performances of the music, which NZTrio has performed since 2005.

bright tide moving between was a finalist for Best Classical Album at the 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

The brightest new stars in the firmament of New Zealand chamber music, NZTrio here make their debut recording with a programme of works they have made their own in concerts throughout New Zealand and overseas.

Over the last decade or so, a number of piano trios made up of outstanding individual musicians have formed and re-formed in New Zealand, and this particular instrumental combination has appealed to the country’s leading composers, who have produced an exceedingly fine body of work in the genre.

The members of NZTrio, each notable musicians in their own right, together make up a formidably powerful ensemble, and their performances in this recital showcase the vitality, beauty and sheer emotional impact of works by John Psathas, Gareth Farr, Penelope Axtens, Michael Norris, Maria Grenfell and Victoria Kelly.

Spark was a finalist for Best Classical Album at the 2006 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards.

Charlotte Yates was invited to oversee this ambitious project: setting Hone Tuwhare's poetry to music. This resultant collection features Goldenhorse, Hinemoana Baker, Graham Brazier, Whirimako Black, Dean Hapeta, Don McGlashan, Hone Hurihanganui, Strawpeople, Dallas Tamaira, Mahinirangi Tocker, Wai, and of course Charlotte herself.

As well as being among the top ten of New Zealand's greatest living artists, Hone was one the of first Maori poets to have work published in English, plus he was named "Icon Artist of the Year 2003" by the Arts Foundation. Charlotte's previous project was putting the venerable James K Baxter's work to music.

Featured artists: Goldenhorse - Oh Africa, Strawpeople - Covetous, Dallas Tamaira - We, Who Live In Darkness, Don McGlashan - Rain, Hinemoana Baker - Where Shall I Wander, Charlotte Yates - Mad, Whirimako Black - Spring Song, Te Kupu - Speak To Me, Brother, Graham Brazier - Friend, Wai - On A Theme By Tone Taiapa, Hone Hurihanganui - Papa-tu-a-nuku, Mahinarangi Tocker and NZTrio - A Northland Heartscape