Mika Cornelius recipient of 2024/25 NZSQ | SOUNZ Tarling Trust Commission
Melbourne-based composer Mika Cornelius has been selected as the recipient of the 2024/25 NZSQ | SOUNZ Tarling Trust Commission. Through this commission, Mika will create a new work for the New Zealand String Quartet-Te Rōpū Tūrū o Aotearoa (NZSQ), inspired by the world of fungi and their life cycles, which will premiere as part of the NZSQ’s 2025 concert series.
The selection panel for the commission included representatives from the New Zealand String Quartet, David Chisholm (Head of the School of Music, University of Auckland), and SOUNZ.
Mika comments on their opportunity to compose for the NZSQ and their creative vision for the new work: “I am absolutely elated to receive the NZSQ SOUNZ Tarling Trust Commission. This is an amazing opportunity to compose for one of New Zealand’s most prestigious chamber ensembles, and I’m truly honoured to have been selected. My proposed composition will explore the life cycles of fungi and its endurance in the natural world, contrasting gritty, earth-like textures with a delicate unfolding of harmonic material. The fungi kingdom has long been an interest of mine; I’m thrilled to learn more about it and express our country’s love and connection with te whenua through this composition.”
The New Zealand String Quartet is looking forward to collaborating with Mika on this new composition and bringing their concept to life: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Mika Cornelius in 2025. Mika’s proposal was unique and relevant and resonates with the next chapter we’re embracing as an organisation. We’re grateful to SOUNZ and the Nicholas Tarling Charitable Trust for creating this opportunity for an emerging NZ composer. We’re excited that this partnership builds on our longstanding commitment to supporting young artists and championing NZ music”, says NZSQ General Manager, Aislinn Ryan.
The NZSQ | SOUNZ Tarling Trust Commission is a unique opportunity in 2024/25 for an early-career New Zealand composer to compose a work for the NZSQ, which will be performed on a regional tour. The commission is kindly supported by the Nicholas Tarling Charitable Trust. 