New Zealand Greek composer John Psathas will be premiering two new works in Australia this Sunday at the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne. He will take centre stage at the museum alongside the New Zealand Chamber Soloists.
Considered one of New Zealand’s most important composers and one of the most influential composers in the Greek diaspora, Psathas, the son of Greek immigrant parents, studied composition and piano at the Victoria University of Wellington and with famed Belgian composer Jacqueline Fontyn.
Early success came with his unique work Matre’s Dance in 1991, a dynamic duet for percussion and piano that catapulted him on to the international stage. Matre’s Dance and Drum Dances are fast becoming standard repertoire for percussionists throughout the world.
In 2004 Psathas achieved the largest audience for New Zealand-composed music when billions heard his fanfares and other music at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Athens Olympics. This led to him to being awarded the title Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Music. Additionally, his Piano Concerto, premiered by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and soloist Stephen Gosling, was awarded the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for excellence in composition.
Psathas’ new works, Corybas and Aegean, being premiered at the concert tomorrow at the Hellenic Museum, are not Psathas’ first to be written for the New Zealand Chamber Soloists.
Three Island Songs, also included in the program, has been part of their standard repertoire across the globe for a number of years, having been performed in Greece, France, the UK, Singapore, Italy, the USA and China.
The New Zealand Chamber Soloists, comprising James Tennant (cello), Katherine Austin (piano) and Lara Hall (violin), have regularly been at the forefront of the international performance of NZ chamber music since 2006. Primary exponents of piano trio repertoire, they collaborate with composers and musicians alike to produce vibrant and electrifying festival and concert performances, juxtaposing the old and new worlds that meet in New Zealand.
Leading New Zealand composers including John Psathas feature prominently in their work. This has led to notable premiers in China and Singapore and the world premiere of Corybas and Aegean by Psathas on the island of Crete.
The concert will be held at the Hellenic Museum on Sunday 29 September at 2.00pm. Whilst this is a free event, bookings are essential. To book, contact the Museum on (03) 8615 9016 or via email at info@hellenic.org.au