NZTrio: InterFusions

NZTrio’s 2020 concert series offers an inspiring exploration of ancestry, diversity and heritage. Each concert begins with a powerful masterwork from Beethoven in a toast to his enduring influence on our European music traditions. Then we swerve off towards more exotic realms representing a kaleidoscope of geographical, cultural and religious influences.

InterFusions begins with Beethoven’s powerful and foreboding C minor trio, an impressive affidavit to his masterful talents. Then we teleport far from Europe into works that are steeped in the diverse cultural backgrounds of their composers. Works by Greek-Canadian Kristos Hatzis and SriLanka-Canadian Dinuk Wijeratne embrace a brand new work by Japanese-New Zealander Salina Fisher.

Her piece draws inspiration from “Kintsugi” art, where smashed ceramic pieces are carefully reassembled, enhancing their inherent strength and beauty. We finish with Ravel’s famous Trio, bearing witness to the clear infusion of his French, Spanish, Basque and Roman Catholic influences.