NZTrio: Homeland 1 Songs My Mother Taught Me
5 March
Nostalgia and melancholy opens Homeland 1 with Dvořák’s second piano trio, imbued with his personality and Slavic folk elements. The trip around the globe continues with a set of miniatures by American composer Daniel Temkin, with a chance to pay homage to five 20th-century composers who celebrated folk-music in their masterpieces: Britten, Bartok, Copland, Dutilleux and Ligeti. The spirit of Aotearoa is reflected in Eve de Castro-Robinson’s newest commission before we enter into the soundscape of the emotional struggles of humankind in Weinberg piano trio – a product of WWII. Even through the stark turbulence, there is a sense of optimism and hope as we wind down with a poignant tune from Dvořák’s Gypsy Songs, telling a story of a mother’s tears, memories and influence – encapsulating the essence of folk-music being passed down through generations.
NZTrio: Homeland 2 Tunes From My Home
24 September
Homeland 2 begins in Romania with Enescu’s luscious A minor trio, one of the very few works he composed during WWII and a strong witness to his fascination with the countryside and folk music of his homeland. Then, Chen Yi transports us half a world away to her upbringing in China with musical stories filled with bustling energies and happy memories, before the warmness of a serenade composed by a young Enescu melts our hearts. Victoria Kelly’s gently rhythmic and mystical sound world brings us back home to Aotearoa before our final stop in Prague, where a 42-year old Dvořák takes us into the depths of Czech folk music traditions and into the dark and brooding romanticism of his F minor piano trio.
NZTrio: Homeland 3 Dumky
26 November
Prepare to be swept away by the heartfelt melodies of Novak’s dramatic one-movement ballade, written when he was simultaneously gazing back in time to traditional Czech folk melodies, yet also looking ahead to tonal modernism. Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch’s evocative Three Nocturnes showcase his Jewish heritage with staggering impressionistic beauty, before Frank Martin takes us on a rambunctious journey through popular Irish melodies that will be sure to awaken your inner dancer. We return to the sounds of Aotearoa with an exciting new work by celebrated NZ composer Ross Harris, before we embark upon the joy and nostalgia of Dvorak’s famous “Dumky” Trio, overflowing with a wealth of village songs and Czech country dances.
$2 per hour to a max of $12 on weekends and a $12 flat rate for weekday evenings at The Civic car park. Find out more.