Performer

Profile

The NZSO Chamber Orchestra (formerly the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra) was founded in 1987 with leading players from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Since then it has established itself as New Zealand’s premier chamber orchestra. The orchestra generally performs without a conductor, directed instead from the first violin chair by Music Director Donald Armstrong.

The NZSO Chamber Orchestra toured extensively in the 1990s. Highlights include acclaimed performances at EXPO in Seville in 1992, and an engagement by Musica Viva, Australia as Orchestra-in-Residence at the prestigious Mittagong Festival, NSW, in 1993.

The NZSO Chamber Orchestra performs regularly with distinguished international soloists, and many of New Zealand’s finest artists have joined the orchestra in concert, including pianist Michael Houstoun, tenor Patrick Power, flutist Alexa Still, and the New Zealand String Quartet. In 1996 Dame Malvina Major, Helen Medlyn and Deborah Wai Kapohe made their debuts with the orchestra, and in 1997 the bass Paul Whelan came home to New Zealand for his first tour with the orchestra.

The NZSO Chamber Orchestra has a strong commitment to New Zealand music, and their commercial recordings include Douglas Lilburn’s Landfall in Unknown Seas narrated by Sir Edmund Hillary, a CD of music by John Ritchie released for the composer’s 80th birthday, and Warriors from Pluto, a compilation of works by Gareth Farr.

The NZSO Chamber Orchestra is a division of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and is currently in remission.