Olympic Success for New Zealand Composer

16 August 2004
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Olympic Success for New Zealand Composer

The music of Wellington composer John Psathas was heard by what will probably be the biggest single audience of his career last Friday, when the opening ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece took place to the accompaniment of his especially composed and arranged fanfares and processionals.

Psathas was engaged in 2003 to compose and arrange music for the Games' opening and closing ceremonies. He has since commuted several times between Wellington and Athens to work on the music and supervise the rehearsal process. Selected from among 600 possible composers to fulfill the most prestigious engagement of his career to date, he joins the ranks of well-known composers such as John Williams, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Leonard Bernstein and Mikis Theodorakis who have also written music for the Olympics.

For a taste of music by John Psathas, listen to his new CD Fragments

New Zealand String Quartet with Hariolf Schlichtig (viola)

There is a good reason why the New Zealand String Quartet is a regular feature of Chamber Music New Zealand's Celebrity Season - audiences love them! CMNZ has once again secured the talents of an exceptional guest to tour with the Quartet in 2004. Violist Hariolf Schlichtig from Germany is a founding member of the Cherubini String Quartet and is a sought after soloist. Tour starts 16 August in Dunedin, moving their way up the country to Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Napier and then Auckland. Click on the links for dates & times of each city.

Auckland University School of Music: New Zealand Trio
Justine Cormack, violin
Ashley Brown, cello
Sarah Watkins, piano

Programme:
Arensky: Piano Trio in D Minor
Michael Norris: Dirty Pixels
Chausson: Piano Trio in G Minor
and more.......

The New Zealand Trio, now Ensemble-in-Residence at The University of Auckland, sets a benchmark for chamber music excellence in the piano trio repertoire. Performing on 22 August from 5.00pm at the Music Theatre, University of Auckland School of Music. Ticket information at www.response.co.nz.

Expressions Art Centre: Krishnan's Dairy

Theatre - Krishnan's Dairy takes two of the most clichd things New Zealanders know about Indians - the Taj Mahal and the corner dairy - and fuses them into an enchanting love story that is both funny and moving. Gobi and Zina Krishnan have come to New Zealand in search of a better life for themselves and their child. They work hard to keep their dreams stacked on the shelves of their struggling business - Krishnan's Dairy. Held at the Expressions Arts Centre, Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt from 25 August to 4 September. Click here for details on ticket prices and time performances.

Little River Gallery: Caroline Morten - Elements of Being

Caroline has an impressive academic record that reflects the depth of exploration contained within her art work. She seems to explore the body from a purely biological base however this investigation reveals deep insight into human experience. The figures freely cross gender boundaries provoking our notions of cultural identity. Intricate depictions of flesh and blood contain the essence of appearance and form. "Elements of Being" is an elegant body of work with an edge. Exhibited at the Little River Gallery, Banks Peninsula, Christchurch from 6 August to 26 August.

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art." Leonardo Da Vinci

- From the team at artscalendar.co.nz

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