1 Chamber Music

Supported by

with & Stephen De Pledge 2 Chamber Music New Zealand

“The Ébène foursome animated an entire universe.” – Bachtrack QUATUOR ÉBÈNE

25 & 26 October chambermusic.co.nz/ebene Tēnā koutou

Viktoria Mullova is one of her generation’s most breath-taking violinists, whose versatile musical world stretches right across the genres, from classical to jazz and world music. We are to be treated to ’s exquisite playing within the intimacy of the piano trio, where she performs with her husband, cellist Matthew Barley and long-time collaborator, one of New Zealand’s favourite pianists, Stephen De Pledge. Their programme is drawn from the cornerstones of the repertoire - the impassioned masterpiece of Schubert’s Trio in E flat followed in the second half by the heartfelt and sensual sonorities in Ravel’s Trio in A Minor, I am sure this will be an evening to remember. The CMNZ commission of a new work by Salina Fisher ‘Mono no aware’ for cello and piano is generously supported by Prof. Jack C Richards and received its world premiere at the Melbourne Recital Centre ahead of the CMNZ tour. I’m thrilled that a brand-new New Zealand work has been internationally showcased in this way. I would like to thank the Turnovsky Endowment Trust, who are the generous supporters of the concert.

Catherine Gibson Chief Executive Chamber Music New Zealand

Please kindly remember to switch off all cellphones, pagers and watches. Taking photographs, or sound or video recordings during the concert is prohibited unless with the prior approval of Chamber Music New Zealand. Thank you. “Mullova maybe the most elegant, refined and sweetly expressive violinist on the planet.” – Chicago Tribune Cornerstones WELLINGTON, CHRISTCHURCH, AUCKLAND

Franz Schubert Page 6 Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat Major, D. 929

-Interval-

Salina Fisher Page 7 Mono no aware ( 物の哀れ) (CMNZ Commission)*

Maurice Ravel Page 8 Piano Trio in A Minor

* This commission is generously supported by Prof. Jack C. Richards.

DURATION:100 minutes including an interval The artists reserve the right to make changes to the programme.

The Auckland concert is being recorded for broadcast by RNZ Concert. 2 Chamber Music New Zealand

Viktoria Mullova Violin

Viktoria Mullova studied at the acclaimed worldwide and led Tim Central Music School of Ashley to write, “To hear Mullova play and the Moscow Conservatoire. Bach is, simply, one of the greatest Her extraordinary talent captured things you can experience…” in the international attention when she Guardian. Her recent disc of Bach won first prize at the 1980 Sibelius Concerti with the Accademia Bizantina Competition in and the Gold and Ottavio Dantone has been highly Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition praised and her recording of Bach’s in 1982 which was followed, in 1983, solo sonatas and partitas represents by her dramatic and much publicised a significant milestone in Viktoria’s defection to the West. She has since personal journey into this music. The appeared with most of the world’s recording received 5-star reviews greatest orchestras and conductors from all over the world and she has and at the major international festivals. embarked on an international several She is now known the world over as a season-long, series of solo Bach violinist of exceptional versatility and recitals. musical integrity. Her curiosity spans the breadth of musical development Her ventures into creative from Baroque and Classical right up contemporary music started in 2000 to the most contemporary influences with her album ‘Through the Looking from the world of fusion and Glass’ in which she played world, experimental music. jazz and pop music arranged for her by Matthew Barley. This exploration Her interest in the authentic continued with her second album ‘The approach has led to collaborations Peasant Girl’ which she has toured with period instrument bands such around the world with the Matthew as the Orchestra of the Age of Barley ensemble. This project shows a Enlightenment, Il Giardino Armonico, different side to Viktoria as she looks Venice Baroque and Orchestre to her peasant roots in the Ukraine Révolutionaire et Romantique. and explores the influence of gypsy Viktoria has a great affinity with Bach music on the classical and jazz genres and his work makes up a large part in the 20th Century. Her most recent of her recording catalogue. Her project, ‘Stradivarius in Rio’ is inspired interpretations of Bach have been by her love of Brazilian songs by Viktoria Mullova Trio 3

composers such as Antonio Carlos arrangements of Brazilian and Hebrew Jobim, Caetano Veloso and Claudio songs and works by Schumann and Nucci. A CD of the same name has Bach, and duo with Alasdair Beatson, been enthusiastically received and playing Beethoven recitals on gut she is now presenting the project in strings and fortepiano. concerts throughout Europe. As well as her own projects, she has also Mullova’s extensive discography for commissioned works from young Philips Classics and Onyx Classics composers such as Fraser Trainer, has attracted many prestigious Thomas Larcher and Dai Fujikura. awards. Her recording of the Vivaldi This rich musical diversity has been Concertos with Il Giardino Armonico celebrated in several high-profile and directed by Giovanni Antonini, residences, including ’s won the Diapason D’Or of the Year Southbank, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, award for 2005 and her recording the Auditorium du Louvre in Paris, featuring Beethoven’s Op.12, No.3 Musikfest Bremen, Barcelona and Kreutzer Sonatas with Kristian Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Bezuidenhout received immense Music Festival. critical acclaim. Other discs have included the Schubert Octet with the This season, Viktoria performs Mullova Ensemble, ‘Recital’ with Katia Classical and Romantic repertoire Labèque, Bach Sonatas with Ottavio with several major orchestras and Dantone and ‘6 Solo Sonatas and conductors. Highlights include Partitas’ by JS Bach. September 2018 performances with the Melbourne saw the release of her new CD of the Symphony Orchestra and Auckland complete works for violin & orchestra Philharmonic; Orchestra National by Arvo Pärt with the Estonian de France and Baltimore Symphony National Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra and a tour with the Paavo Järvi for the Onyx label. Academy of Ancient Music playing Bach and Haydn concerti. Her chamber music projects include ‘Music we Love’; a duo with Misha Mullov-Abbado, double bass, featuring his original compositions, 4 Chamber Music New Zealand

Matthew Barley Cello

Cello playing is at the centre of Detlev Glanert, Dai Fujikura and Matthew Barley’s career, while many other prominent composers, his musical world has virtually no including with some of the finest geographical, social or stylistic Indian musicians in a new project with boundaries. the . Matthew Barley is passionate about Matthew’s recordings have been improvisation, education, multi- released on Black Box, Signum genre music-making, electronics, and Classics and Onyx Classics – the latter pioneering community programmes. included a CD with Viktoria Mullova He is also a world-renowned cellist, on which Matthew was cellist, who has performed in over 50 arranger, composer and producer, countries, including concertos with The Peasant Girl, which has gained the BBC Philharmonic, Frankfurt Radio rave reviews worldwide, and is now Symphony, London Sinfonietta, Hong also available on DVD. Kong Sinfonietta, Royal Scottish National, Kremerata Baltica, Swedish In 2013 Matthew undertook a Chamber, Vienna Radio Symphony, 100-event UK tour celebrating Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, – the tour was Czech Philharmonic, Melbourne and accompanied by a CD release, New Zealand Symphonies and the ‘Around Britten’, described by Sinfini as Metropole Jazz Orchestra. “a defining statement in modern cello playing”. Matthew Barley’s collaborations include Matthias Goerne, the Labèque After the world premiere Sisters, Avi Avital, Manu Delago, Martin performances of a new double Fröst, Thomas Larcher, Amjad Ali Khan, concerto by Pascal Dusapin with Julian Joseph, , and Viktoria Mullova and with Netherlands (Deep Purple), appearing in Radio, there are further performances venues ranging from Ronnie Scott’s with the London Philharmonic, and the WOMAD festivals to Vienna’s RAI Torino, Paris National, Seattle Konzerthaus and Zürich’s Tonhalle. Symphony and Leipzig Gewandhaus. Matthew’s new music group, Between Next season sees a tour with wind The Notes, has undertaken over 60 quintet Calefax, a recording of John creative projects with young musicians Tavener’s The Protecting Veil for and orchestral players around the Signum Classics, the premiere of world. Matthew’s arrangements of Brazilian jazz for cello and string orchestra in Matthew has given premieres by Helsinki, and tours to Australia and James MacMillan, Thomas Larcher, New Zealand. Viktoria Mullova Trio 5

Stephen De Pledge Piano

New Zealand pianist Stephen De Tokyo, Cologne, Paris, London and Pledge performs internationally as , as well as throughout New a soloist and chamber musician. Zealand. His extensive discography Following studies in Auckland, London includes works by Bliss, Barber, and Paris he made his debuts in the Messiaen, Shostakovich and Brahms, , Queen Elizabeth Hall and premiere recordings of Arvo Pärt, and Barbican Hall in London. He Henryk Górecki, Ned Rorem and the has given concerto performances first piano concerto of Lyell Cresswell. with the BBC Scottish Symphony, In addition to his performing schedule Bournemouth Symphony, New Stephen De Pledge teaches piano London and Philharmonia Orchestras, at the School of Music, University of amongst others. Solo performances Auckland. in recent seasons have taken him to

Salina Fisher Composer

Salina Fisher (b.1993) is a New Zealand Fulbright, Creative New Zealand composer particularly interested in and The Arts Foundation, and is the the musical traditions of New Zealand youngest ever winner of the SOUNZ and Japan. Since recently graduating Contemporary Award (2016, 2017). with a Master of Music in composition Her music has been performed by from Manhattan School of Music, ensembles including New Zealand New York, Salina has been appointed Symphony Orchestra, New Zealand Composer-in-Residence at New String Quartet, Los Angeles Chamber Zealand School of Music, 2019-2020. Orchestra, Albany Symphony, and She is the recipient of awards from International Contemporary Ensemble. 6 Chamber Music New Zealand

Franz Schubert (1791 – 1828) Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat Major, D. 929

Schubert dated the score of this trio extraordinary the two trios, expressing November 1827. He was 30, gravely such differing characteristics, would be ill with syphilis and depressed. A year written within weeks of each other. later he was dead. One amazing thing about Schubert, But, listening to this, you would hardly and something you can hear in this know. His last piano trio is a gigantic trio, is he never does the same thing masterpiece that, with Beethoven’s twice. The first movement sweeps Archduke, could be considered you along with Schubert’s flow of among the few greatest piano songlike themes. With an almost trios in the traditional repertory. It is Beethovenian opening theme, which gigantic in length and breadth, and might have been expanded by the rich in thematic ideas, continuous older composer, Schubert decides to transformations and inventive details move on to another, equally potent of construction. The music radiates melody. Even repeated melodies passion, pathos, and perhaps even are completely changed. There is a anger, but it is equally full of joy, charming allusion to the song Sei mir grace and triumphant beauty. It ties gegrüsst before a lingering, nostalgic together Schubert’s extraordinary gift ‘second subject’ based on the cello for melody, especially in the sublime figure. As if hypnotized by this theme, second movement. The scherzo is full Schubert expands it into vast lyric of sparkling joy and clever invention; sequences in the development, and the final movement feels like where stunning contrasts of colour new musical ideas are pouring from and harmony and a sense of infinite his seemingly inexhaustible musical space take priority over any combative imagination. dynamic activity à la Beethoven. Schubert wrote two piano trios, the If you don’t think you know this piano first, in B flat is more emotionally trio, you’ve actually probably heard stable than the E flat – the B flat Trio is the opening of the second movement. a confident work that unites bravura Used in various ways in pop culture; and lyrical expression, the E flat Trio is it is most notably used in Stanley a harrowing composition, famously Kubrick’s 1975 movie Barry Lyndon characterised by Schumann as passing (among others). The cello begins with through the music world like “some angry comet in the night sky.” It is Viktoria Mullova Trio 7

Salina Fisher (1993 –)

Mono no aware (物の哀れ ) (CMNZ Commission)*

a lament, a funerial march, which swells Mono no aware (物の哀れ ) is a Japanese into a scalding heat of passion before concept that refers to the transience cooling again into the restrained, of existence and a melancholic unforgiving march. There has long appreciation that accompanies this. been a tradition that the plaintive main Perhaps most commonly associated theme quotes a Swedish folksong. with mono no aware is the ephemeral Recent research has identified the beauty of cherry blossoms, the song as Se solen sjunker (‘The sun has appeal of which is heightened by set’), though Schubert’s adaptation an awareness of their fragility and makes the tune entirely his own. inherent impermanence. Accepting this impermanent and uncertain nature Schubert’s jaunty mood for the finale, of life helps us to recognise the beauty is maintained whenever the main of fleeting moments and of change. theme reappears, even though, as This piece reflects on my relationship always with late Schubert, much with this concept during a time of happens to vary the music’s mood significant change in my life. and atmosphere. With his masterful handling of an ever-changing Salina Fisher, 2019 texture, his uncanny use of colour, his expert rhythmic sense and his exotic, emotionally keen harmonic Duration: Approx. 5 min modulations, Schubert always invests his recurring thematic material with new meaning, ultimately building a large-scale narrative where nothing is redundant and everything necessary. This work feels like a progressive journey, as opposed to a loop. Where other composers will spin you around the same parts again and again, Schubert leads you constantly forward.

Duration: Approx. 45 min *This commission is generously supported by Prof. Jack C. Richards. 8 Chamber Music New Zealand

Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1937) Piano Trio in A Minor

Whereas the Schubert might have down by the army, but ended up grabbed you by the throat and driving an ambulance on the front line. demanded you listen, you can now let In a letter to the composer Florent yourself be seduced, and let the music Schmitt he wrote, “I hurried to finish my waft over you with a dreamy palette trio so I could join up. But they found of impressionist colour. Maurice Ravel’s me too light by two kilograms.” suave Piano Trio in A Minor draws you in and lulls you with luxurious The first movement’s (Modéré) serenity. But, at the same time, lurking features an irregular 3+2+3 rhythm just beneath the surface, there’s a hint which immediately transports you of something darker—perhaps voices to southern France, evoking the folk of haunting lament. As in a dream, music from the Basque (Ravel wrote these shadows emerge and dissipate, the Trio at his Basque retreat of Saint remaining intangible. Jean de Luz, whilst on holiday with friends). Listen to the way this motive Ravel wrote this music in 1914 on the returns persistently throughout the eve of the First World War, and by the movement. In the final bars, it repeats time he reached the final movement in the piano’s lower register and melts he was eager to wrap the piece up so into a peaceful resolution before the he could enlist. He wrote to a friend, music fades away. “I think that at any moment I shall go mad or lose my mind. I have never The title of the second movement, worked so hard, with such insane Pantoum, is a reference to a form heroic rage.” Ultimately, he was turned of poetry originating in Malaya, which was popular with nineteenth- Viktoria Mullova Trio 9

century French poets such as Charles meter, which alternates between 5/4 Baudelaire. In a Pantoum, the first and 7/4. The A minor Trio’s final bars verse’s second and fourth lines repeat reach a soaring euphoric climax— as the second verse’s first and third an unexpected explosion of musical lines. Have a look at Harmonie du fireworks which suggest, through soir on the next page. The sections of smoke and mirrors, the heroic weight Ravel’s vivacious second movement of a full orchestra. After the variety of overlap in a similar way. meticulous form, mood and motion in the previous movements, the last is a The third movement (Passacaille: Très welcome gust, free and wild, a flurry in large) returns to the repeating ground the wake of a person suddenly called bass line of the baroque passacaglia, into urgent action on another front. first heard in a single line in the piano. But this passacaglia suggests the circular quality of Asian music. The movement builds in intensity and then Duration: Approx. 30 min falls back to plaintive stillness. At one point, the piano drops out and we’re left with a soulful duet between cello and violin. The Final: Animé opens with a sudden splash of softly-glistening colour. Spanish and Basque influence can again be heard in the irregularity of the

Programme notes written by Anna van der Leij 10 Chamber Music New Zealand

Harmonie du soir (Pantoum)

Voici venir les temps où vibrant sur sa tige Chaque fleur s’évapore ainsi qu’un encensoir; Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir; Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige! Chaque fleur s’évapore ainsi qu’un encensoir; Le violon frémit comme un coeur qu’on afflige; Valse mélancolique et langoureux vertige! Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir. Le violon frémit comme un coeur qu’on afflige, Un coeur tendre, qui hait le néant vaste et noir! Le ciel est triste et beau comme un grand reposoir; Le soleil s’est noyé dans son sang qui se fige. Un coeur tendre, qui hait le néant vaste et noir, Du passé lumineux recueille tout vestige! Le soleil s’est noyé dans son sang qui se fige. Ton souvenir en moi luit comme un ostensoir!

— Charles Baudelaire Viktoria Mullova Trio 11

Evening Harmony

The hour approacheth, when, as their stems incline, The flowers evaporate like an incense urn, And sounds and scents in the vesper breezes turn; A melancholy waltz — and a drowsiness divine. The flowers evaporate like an incense urn, The viol vibrates like the wailing of souls that repine. A melancholy waltz — and a drowsiness divine, The skies like a mosque are beautiful and stern. The viol vibrates like the wailing of souls that repine; Sweet souls that shrink from chaos vast and etern, The skies like a mosque are beautiful and stern, The sunset drowns within its blood-red brine. Sweet souls that shrink from chaos vast and etern, Essay the wreaths of their faded Past to entwine, The sunset drowns within its blood-red brine, Thy thought within me glows like an incense urn.

— Translation by Cyril Scott, Baudelaire: The Flowers of Evil (London: Elkin Mathews, 1909) Thank You To all of our generous donors who support CMNZ throughout the year

Founders' Circle Members Roger and Jenny Mountfort Anonymous Barbara Peddie Graeme Edwards Roger Reynolds Arnold and Reka Solomons Martin and Catherine Spencer The Estate of Jenni Caldwell Basil & Jenny Stanton The Estate of Aileen Claridge Alison Thomson The Estate of Walter Freitag Ann Trotter The Estate of Chisne Gunn Judith Trotter The Estate of Warwick Gordon Harris Anna Wilson The Estate of Joan Kerr Bruce Wilson and Jill White The Estate of Monica Taylor Ann Wylie David Zwartz Ensemble ($10,000+) Anonymous Trio ($500+) Robin & Sue Harvey Anonymous (6) Kaye & Maurice Clark Diane Baguley Gill and Peter Davenport Philippa Bates Peter and Carolyn Diessl Harry and Anne Bonning Professor Jack Richards Sarah Buist JD Cullington Octet ($5,000+) Jonathan Cweorth M Hirschfeld Children's Trust Hanno Fairburn Hylton LeGrice and Angela Lindsay Tom and Kay Farrar The Lyons Family - in memory of Ian Lyons John Farrell Murray Shaw Anne French Consulting Ltd Kerrin and Noel Vautier Belinda Galbraith Lloyd Williams and Cally McWha C & P Gibson Laurie Greig Quintet ($2,500+) Gary and Helena Hawke Joy Clark Douglas and Barbara Holborow John and Trish Gribben E Prof Les Holborow Ann Harden and Mike Nicolaidi Jane Kominik Caroline List Collin Post Fiona Macmillan and Briony Macmillan Arnold and Reka Solomons Margaret Malaghan Peter and Kathryn Walls Raymond and Helen Matias AE McAloon Quartet ($1,000+) Fiona McAlpine Anonymous (2) Andrew and Mary McEwen Donald and Susan Best Heather Miller Roger and Joanna Booth Margaret Nielsen Philip and Rosalind Burdon Prue Olde MD and MA Carr Robert and Helen Philpott Rick and Lorraine Christie Miles Rogers Roger Christmas Sylvia Rosevear The Cranfylde Charitable Trust Peter and Juliet Rowe Graeme and Di Edwards John and Kathryn Sinclair Peter and Rae Fehl Ross Steele Finchley Trust Mary Smit Dame Jennifer Gibbs Priscilla Tobin Patricia Gillion David Tripp David and Heather Hutton Patricia Unger Linda MacFarlane Richard and Elaine Westlake Elizabeth McLeay Tim Wilkinson Board Kerrin Vautier CMG (Chair), Hon Chris Finlayson, Hamish Elliott, Andreas Heuser, Matthew Savage, Vanessa Doig REGIONAL CONCERTS

Staff TONY CHEN LIN Chief Executive, Catherine Gibson Artistic Manager, Jack Hobbs RANGIORA 5 September Artistic Administrator, Elliot Vaughan CROMWELL 7 September Outreach Coordinator, Beckie Lockhart GORE 8 September Operations Coordinator, Rachel Hardie Marketing Manager, Will Gaisford KERIKERI 13 September Senior Designer, Darcy Woods WARKWORTH 14 September Marketing Executive, Aja Lethaby Ticketing & Database Executive, Laurel Bruce WHANGAREI 15 September Content Producer & Comms Executive, Anna van der Leij UPPER HUTT 16 September Business & Funding Administrator, Rafaela Gaspar Financial Coordinator, Yvonne Morrison MOTUEKA 18 September WHANGANUI 20 September Branches TAIHAPE 21 September Auckland: Chair, Roger Reynolds; Concert Manager, Bleau Bustenera WAIKANAE 22 September Hamilton: Chair, Murray Hunt; Concert Manager, Sharon Stephens New Plymouth: Concert Manager, Cathy Martin ROTORUA 24 September Hawke’s Bay: Chair, June Clifford; Concert Manager, Jamie Macphail GISBORNE 26 September Manawatu: Chair, Graham Parsons; Concert Manager, Virginia Warbrick Wellington: Concert Manager, Rachel Hardie WELLINGTON 29 September Nelson: Concert Manager, Clare Monti Christchurch: Concert Manager, Jody Keehan THE JACQUIN TRIO Dunedin: Chair, Terence Dennis; Concert Manager, Richard Dingwall Southland: Chair, Rosie Beattie; Concert Manager, Rosie Beattie WANAKA 4 October CROMWELL 5 October Regional Presenters GORE 7 October Marlborough Music Society Inc (Blenheim), Christopher's Classics (Christchurch), Cromwell & Districts Community Arts Council, RANGIORA 9 October Geraldine Academy of Performance & Arts, Musica Viva Gisborne, WHANGAREI 13 October Music Society Eastern Southland (Gore) Arts Far North (Kaitaia), WHANGANUI 17 October Aroha Music Society (Kerikeri), Chamber Music Hutt Valley, Motueka Music Group, Oamaru Opera House, UPPER HUTT 21 October South Waikato Music Society (Putaruru), Waimakariri Community Arts Council (Rangiora), Rotorua Music Federation, Taihape Music Group, Tauranga Musica Inc, Te Awamutu Music Federation, Upper Hutt Music Society, Waikanae Music Society, Join the conversation Wanaka Concert Society Inc, Chamber Music Wanganui, Warkworth Music Society, Wellington Chamber Music Trust, Whakatane Music Society, Whangarei Music Society. Thank you

Core Funder Supporting Funder A special thank you to all of our sponsors and funding partners.

National Touring Partners

National Business Partners

Regional Partners Education and Community Partners

Key Funding Partners CMNZ recognizes the following funders who generously support our work.

Judith Clark Memorial Fund

Funding Partners Community Trust of Southland Otago Community Trust Trust Waikato Eastern & Central Community Trust Rātā Foundation TSB Community Trust Four Winds Foundation Southern Trust Turnovsky Endowment Trust Invercargill Licensing Trust The Adam Foundation Wellington Community Trust Mt Wellington Foundation Trust House Winton & Margaret Bear Charitable Trust New Plymouth District Council 19 Chamber Music New Zealand

4 - 19 October chambermusic.co.nz/taongamoana Level 4, 75 Ghuznee Street PO Box 6238, Wellington 0800 CONCERT (266 2378) [email protected] www.chambermusic.co.nz