18 May 2004

The HRL Morrison Music Trust is pleased to announce the LIVEWIRE concert series. Three groundbreaking concerts of outstanding twentieth-century and contemporary works by New Zealand and international composers, including Douglas Lilburn, Gareth Farr, John Psathas and Jack Body plus Prokofiev, Martinu, Ligeti and Pärt, will be performed by New Zealand’s most accomplished musicians – Michael Houstoun, Dan Poynton, Natalia Lomeiko and the New Zealand String Quartet. Over three consecutive days (June 10, 11, and 12), audiences at the Ilott Theatre will witness performances of consummate artistry and historical significance.

10 June 2004 7pm Ilott Theatre
Dan Poynton is a dynamic pianist renowned for his sensitive and colourful performances of music by New Zealand composers. In this concert he plays works by Douglas Lilburn, including what is believed to be the world premiere of the Sonata (1939).

11 June 2004 7pm Ilott Theatre
Natalia Lomeiko, winner of the 2003 Michael Hill International Violin Competition and New Zealand Concerto Competition, and 2002 Young Musician of the Year, plays sonatas by Prokofiev and Martinu, Pärt’s famous Fratres, and John Ritchie’s Arioso. She is accompanied by New Zealand Trio pianist, Sarah Watkins.

12 June 2004 7pm Ilott Theatre
Pianist Michael Houstoun performs once again with the New Zealand String Quartet in a programme that includes music by three of New Zealand’s best known composers – John Psathas, Gareth Farr and Jack Body.

Trust Chairman Lloyd Morrison today said, “Not since Chamber Music New Zealand’s Earthshine concerts 10 years ago has there been offered to Wellington concertgoers a similar concert series devoted exclusively to outstanding music of the twentieth-century. By engaging the talents of some of New Zealand’s foremost musicians the LIVEWIRE series will expose audiences to music that they seldom hear in mainstream programming. I’m confident that the combination of extraordinary music with world-class musicians will make for a rewarding concert experience.”

Background
Dan Poynton recently embarked on a recording of the complete piano music of Douglas Lilburn (as a four volume series) for Trust Records. To mark the release of the first two volumes in this historic collection, the opening concert in the LIVEWIRE series consists entirely of Lilburn’s piano music. In the first concert (Thursday June 10), New Zealand music aficionados have a unique opportunity to hear a Lilburn premiere alongside the first performances for many years of a number of other works. As well as established works such as the Nine Short Pieces and the Piano Sonata (1949), the programme includes what is believed to be the world premiere of the Piano Sonata (1939).

London-based New Zealand violinist Natalia Lomeiko performs powerful twentieth-century violin repertoire in the second concert (Friday June 11). Natalia won the high-profile 2003 Michael Hill International Violin Competition and has performed with the NZSO. She will be partnered by New Zealand Trio pianist and Juilliard School graduate Sarah Watkins. The programme includes the first sonatas of Prokofiev and Martinu, as well as Arvo Pärt’s introspective masterpiece Fratres and New Zealand composer John Ritchie’s Arioso. This concert marks the launch of Natalia Lomeiko’s debut recording for Trust Records.

Michael Houstoun joins the New Zealand String Quartet in the final concert in the series (Saturday June 12) in a programme that includes works by three of New Zealand’s most significant composers, Jack Body, Gareth Farr and John Psathas. The exuberance of Body’s Three Transcriptions and Farr’s Mondo Rondo, the intricacy and intensity of Psathas’ Piano Quintet and Abhisheka (both recently choreographed in the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Saltarello), and György Ligeti’s String Quartet No.1, all performed with relentless passion and emotion make for what promises to be a transcendental musical event.

Tickets
General admission tickets are available from Ticketek
Concert 1 Dan Poynton – $35
Concert 2 Natalia Lomeiko / Sarah Watkins – $35
Concert 3 NZSQ with Michael Houstoun – $39
10% discount price for two concerts
15% discount price for three concerts
Concessions available
A service fee may apply