Opening minds to contemporary music
Audiences can expect lots of energy, noise, and sweat when NZTrio brings its eclectic sound to South Auckland.
The three-piece is performing an intimate programme of contemporary classical music at the Nathan Homestead in March.
Made up of Justine Cormack on violin, Ashley Brown on cello and Sarah Watkins on piano, it is the first time the trio will play at the Homestead.
It will perform a one hour programme with traditional and contemporary pieces, including one from Auckland composer Claire Cowan.
‘‘People are often surprised at how dynamic what we do is. There can be an expectation that classical music pieces are formal and can be on the dull side,’’ Watkins says.
‘‘What we want to show with our performances and our way of playing it, is that it is a really vibrant and energetic and relevant art form.’’
NZTrio has been performing together for more than 10 years around New Zealand and overseas. The trio is hoping to connect with new audiences who wouldn’t usually come to Auckland’s CBD to watch them.
‘‘When we’re in a really small space with the audience we can see their eyeballs and they can see the sweat and feel the energy we’re making,’’ Watkins says.
Brown says it’s great getting to open people’s minds to contemporary classical music.
‘‘It’s really cool to see people open up to it and be exposed to it so they talk about contemporary music with an understanding they didn’t have before,’’ Brown says.
Cormack says the trio crafts its programme considering how it will sound from start to finish.
‘‘If anything, doing multiple performances is a really great gift for us to experience.’’
NZTrio is performing Sunday, March 5 from 5pm. Go to eventfinda.co.nz/2017/nztrioart3/auckland/manurewa for tickets.