Unbound with the Aroha Quartet & Diedre Irons

Musical expression knows no limits in the Aroha Quartet's 'Unbound' programme.

Our programme begins with Haydn's String Quartet in C Op 33 No 3. Nicknamed 'The Bird', this is a graceful and light-hearted work. The concert continues with 'Unbound', an expressive, heartfelt work for string quartet written in 2011 by New Zealand composer Brigid Ursula Bisley.

For the finale, we are delighted to be joined by Diedre Irons, one of New Zealand's finest pianists, for the sublime Piano Quintet in F minor by Brahms. Combining lyrical beauty and rhythmic muscularity, this is one of the best-loved chamber music works of all time.

Aroha String Quartet
Acclaimed as demonstrating "accomplished brilliance, soulfulness and sublime intensity in perfect balance and tonal unity" (The Dominion Post), the Aroha String Quartet is firmly established as one of New Zealand's finest chamber music ensembles.

Founded in 2004, this versatile Wellington-based quartet is known for its passionate musicality, impressive technique, and multicultural innovation.

The Aroha Quartet is committed to presenting string quartet works from western classical and avant-garde repertoire to traditional Chinese folk music, as well as works for larger forces through collaborations with numerous high-profile musicians.

Diedre Irons - Piano
Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Diedre Irons made her debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12 playing the Schumann Piano concerto. She graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and was subsequently invited to join the faculty where she taught for the next seven years.

Diedre moved to New Zealand in 1977 and has performed regularly with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia and the Christchurch Symphony, toured under the auspices of Chamber Music New Zealand, and recorded extensively for Radio New Zealand.

She was awarded an MBE in 1989 and an ONZM in 2011 for services to music and in 2007 received the degree Doctor of Music (honoris causa) from Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada.

She taught at the University of Canterbury from 1992-2003 and at the New Zealand School of Music from 2003-2012.