Haydn Performance NZSQ

Haydn: The Seven Last Words from the Cross Opus 51

"Simple setting a perfect match for music, poems"
Dominion Post

New Zealand String Quartet with poetry by Dinah Hawken, images by Nigel Brown, directed by Sara Brodie.

In honour of the 200th anniversary of Haydn’s death, the New Zealand School of Music, in association with Chamber Music New Zealand, proudly presents this very special performance of his Seven Last Words from the Cross.

Written in 1786 as music to accompany a Good Friday service for the Cathedral of Cadiz, this intensely spiritual music continues to inspire new devotional texts and performances for Easter celebrations. We now introduce this work in a New Zealand context through the musical interpretation of the New Zealand String Quartet illuminated by the words of poet Dinah Hawken, and the images of artist Nigel Brown. Nigel has produced a limited edition of seven lithographic icons to accompany the work. The production will be directed by Sara Brodie (The Kreutzer, The Opera Ball, Kia Ora Khalid), with video designer Andrew Brettel.

remember that bearing
can carry the gifts
of wisdom and witness
Dinah Hawken

With their dynamic performing style, eloquent communication and beautiful sound, the New Zealand String Quartet have forged a major career in the busy international chamber music field, earning the acclaim of critics and the delighted response of audiences.

The quartet have particularly distinguished themselves through imaginative programming, insightful interpretations of the string quartet repertoire including cycles of composers’ music from Mozart to Berg, and the development of an international audience for important new works from New Zealand composers. They have recently brought their interpretive skill to a major project to record all of Mendelssohn’s string quartets for Naxos.

Venue: Adam Concert Room
New Zealand School of Music
Gate 7, Kelburn Parade
Time: 12.00pm

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