On Friday 26 July the 2019 NZ Composer Sessions | Ngā Huihuinga Hāpai i ngā Kaitito o Aotearoa Concert took place at the Michael Fowler Centre.
Nine New Zealand composers’ works were performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Hamish McKeich and recorded by RNZ Concert.
These works demonstrated a variety of aesthetic approaches and were chosen by a panel to represent a broad range of composers active in New Zealand. The standard of submissions was very high and we were delighted to have so many works recorded through this year's project.
The NZ Composer Sessions | Ngā Huihuinga Hāpai i ngā Kaitito o Aotearoa is a collaboration between NZSO, SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, and RNZ Concert. The project aims to create high-quality recordings of New Zealand orchestral works suitable for promotion to a range of orchestras and to broadcasters. The finished works will be available for listening on SOUNZ’s and RNZ’s website.
SOUNZ staff and helpers getting ready before the start of the Concert. From left to right: Xandi Cooke (Diana's son), Jonathan Engle, Roger Smith and Keri-Mei Zagrobelna
Top: Guests arriving at the Concert Bottom from left to right: Keri-Mei Zagrobelna (SOUNZ), Jonathan Engle (SOUNZ), Lucrecia Colominas (NZSO), Toni Huata (SOUNZ)
NZSO conducted by Hamish McKeich
Six of this year's composers: from left to right: Anthony Young, Tabea Squire, Alissa Long, Barry Vercoe, Brigid Bisley, Kirsten Strom