Five Lines is a collection of writings about music in Aotearoa New Zealand by Elizabeth Kerr. It features short articles, artist profiles and reviews of concerts, operas and albums. You can subscribe - it’s free - at the bottom of any story.
Confronting the Modern Gods: John Psathas and Fabian Ziegler
The album Modern Gods, music by composer John Psathas performed by percussionist Fabian Ziegler and pianist Akvilė Šileikaitė, confronts the relationship between people and the “modern gods” of technology.
Force of Nature: Forest & Bird’s clarion call
A musical project celebrating the centenary of Forest & Bird brings nine new compositions to life and sounds a clarion call about conservation of Aotearoa’s native habitats and species.
The Earth Child: A Mansfield centenary tribute album
Composer Janet Jennings has curated a brilliant album as tribute to Katherine Mansfield, marking the centenary of the writer’s death and including her own setting of Mansfield’s Earth Child poems.
Soprano Morag Atchison’s debut album: The Distance
Morag Atchison’s debut album features the songs of composer David Hamilton in a beautifully performed recital.
Michael Houstoun plays Brahms: miniature marvels
Pianist Michael Houstoun marks his 70th birthday with an album from Rattle of Brahms’ intermezzi. He says this introspective music “fits with an older player’s psyche.”
Bartók - a musical colour-burst
A new album of Bartók’s music for violin and piano by violinist Monique Lapins and pianist Jian Liu has energy, momentum and a forthright passionate approach.
Moonstone: music from Aotearoa for viola and piano
Moonstone, a new album from Robert Ashworth (viola) and Sarah Watkins (piano) explores many voices and styles in music of Aotearoa.
Gunter Herbig: seductive landscapes for guitar
Guitarist Gunter Herbig’s transition from classical to electric guitar filled him with a renewed sense of musical adventure.
David Long: Ash and Bone
David Long’s new album, Ash and Bone, offers multi-coloured, many-layered music with his unfailing sense of pace and momentum.
Portrait with Piano: Jenny McLeod
An 80th birthday tribute album shines a light on 50 years of piano composition by New Zealand composer Jenny McLeod
Music of Aotearoa
A 1999 work for taonga pūoro and flute has inspired a new generation of composers.
Tararua: Bird Like Men
Bird Like Men, the debut album from new ensemble Tararua, draws on personal inspiration to tell our stories.
