Stroma New Music Ensemble pushes musical boundaries

20 August 2018
From: Stroma

Stroma, New Zealand’s leading new music ensemble, celebrates the work of visionary twentieth-century composers in the first concert of their 2018 concert, Iconic Sonics, at City Gallery Wellington on Wednesday 29 August.

Stroma Artistic Co-Director, Michael Norris says of the Iconic Sonics performance “Stroma has always championed music that is bold, fresh and at the leading edge of change. Trailblazing composers who challenged the status quo and pushed the limits of what music is. Now, the bravery behind questioning popular opinion feels more relevant than ever.”

Conducted by Artistic Co-director of Stroma, Hamish McKeich - also Associate Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - revolution is at the heart of the now-iconic music that Stroma will bring live to Wellington audiences this month, a fitting accompaniment to City Gallery Wellington’s current exhibition of revolutionary art in Iconography of Revolt. This group of top New Zealand musicians, most of whom are members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, tackles the technically challenging yet rewarding works of ‘sonic revolutionists’ Witold Lutoslawski, György Ligeti, Kaija Saariaho and Iannis Xenakis.

“Perhaps best known from the soundtrack of Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, composers such as Ligeti were the innovators of their time. It’s a real treat to perform this music live. Even 50 years later, the music is still electrifying,” says Norris.

Stroma also presents work by the next generation of boundary-pushing composers, represented on the night in a world premiere by leading young New Zealand composer Reuben Jelleyman. “I’m very excited about presenting a piece alongside the rest of this ‘heavyweight’ programme. I decided not to write a piece that simply salutes C20 composers; rather a piece that tries to bend/warp/melt their musical aesthetics. I hope Designs will be an interesting listen in the context of the whole concert.”

Tickets are on sale now HERE. Book fast, as Stroma’s previous City Gallery concert sold out.

PROGRAMME:
György Ligeti (HUN) • Ramifications for 12 solo strings
Kaija Saariaho (FIN) • New Gates for flute, viola and harp
Iannis Xenakis (GR) • Aroura for 12 solo strings
Reuben Jelleyman (NZ) • Designs for chamber ensemble (world premiere)
Witold Lutoslawski (POL) • Chain I for large ensemble

ABOUT STROMA:
Stroma is New Zealand’s leading new music ensemble and has been bringing bold and immersive musical experiences to New Zealand audiences for nearly 20 years. Stroma fosters and champions the music of today, focusing on distinctive and compelling musical voices from New Zealand and around the world. Stroma also proudly commissions and supports new works from New Zealand’s leading new and established composers.

Iconic Sonics, Conducted by Hamish McKeich
Wednesday 29 August, 7:30-9:00pm
City Gallery Wellington, Civic Square, Wellington

TICKETS: $20 / $30 / BOOK HERE / WEBSITE: www.stroma.co.nz

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