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.
The Phileo Quartet: sweet flavours of Vienna
New Zealand violinist Benjamin Morrison has brought some of his Vienna Philharmonic colleagues to tour his home country for Chamber Music New Zealand as the Phileo Quartet.
The Elouan Quartet with flutist Bridget Douglas: light loveliness and splendid variety
The Elouan Quartet recently toured two interesting, well-curated programmes to regional chamber music centres with flutist Bridget Douglas.
Eve de Castro-Robinson: exploring colours in a new album
A new album of chamber works from composer Eve de Castro-Robinson reveals her as an explorer of subtle musical colours.
Korimako Piano Trio: fine musicians in thoughtful accord
New Zealand newest chamber ensemble, the Korimako Trio, opened its 2026 season with an enthusiastically-received concert for the Waikanae Music Society.
The Adam Festival: the playful joy of chamber music
The 2026 Adam Chamber Music Festival in Nelson was a joyous event with big-name stars, outstanding artistic standards and a playful sense of fun.
Album reviews: modernism, minimalism and melancholy
Reviews of three recent releases from New Zealand artists featuring composers Annea Lockwood and Anthony Ritchie and classical guitarist Matthew Marshall.
NZTrio: electrifying momentum
The NZTrio, in its new line-up of Amalia Hall, Somi Kim and Matthias Balzat, seems in its “Hypnotique” programme to have fully gelled into a unified, high-octane ensemble.
The Ghost Piano Trio: subtlety and musical rapport
The Ghost Piano Trio, on tour for Chamber Music New Zealand, brought a thoughtfully curated programme to Waikanae Music Society.
The remarkable Amalia Hall: star soloist, concertmaster and chamber musician
Violinist Amalia Hall will join the NZSO for Bartók’s 2nd Violin Concerto. But she’s equally at home as concertmaster or chamber musician and she’s playing all three roles at home and internationally.
100 Winds Taupō Hau Rau: musicians and dancers breathe together
100 Winds Taupō Hau Rau is a compelling work, Inspired by the shifting winds of Lake Taupō, performed by the NZ String Quartet and dancers from the NZ Dance Company.
Diedre Irons at 80: “I just play the piano…”
Diedre Irons is one of New Zealand’s most outstanding musicians. She talked to Elizabeth Kerr about a lifetime of performance and her love of playing the piano.
Chopin’s Nocturnes: Piers Lane’s voyage of musical discovery
Pianist PIers Lane is taking his recital of the complete set of Chopin’s Nocturnes to 13 New Zealand centres. In the first concert in Wellington, a sold-out audience was entranced.
STROMA: playing with light and colour
An imaginative, superbly played programme from new music ensemble STROMA shows the group is an essential part of our musical fabric.
NZSO: large and small ensembles on the road
The NZSO is on tour with its Setting up Camp project and programmes for full orchestra and string quartet.
NZ Trio: unquiet dreams, musical arguments and a wild ride
In a typically adventurous touring programme, NZ Trio has introduced audiences to the astonishing New York-based composer Lera Auerbach.
We need to talk about chamber music
As Chamber Music NZ attempts to broaden the definition of chamber music, audience members are concerned the organisation has lost its way. What’s the essence of chamber music? Is “music up close” enough?
Chamber ensembles on tour in Aotearoa
Three recent concerts by touring New Zealand chamber ensembles have brought a broad range of repertoire to audiences around the country.
Barton and Brodsky: story-telling magic in sound
The programme Barton and Brodsky, touring for Chamber Music NZ, is full of surprises as five brilliant musicians blend cultures, histories and sounds.
The Adam Festival: chamber music heaven
Audiences from around Aotearoa, Australia and elsewhere gathered in Nelson for the star-studded lineup of chamber musicians at the biennial Adam Festival.
Brahms, Hristova and Houstoun: magical unanimity
Pianist Michael Houstoun and violinist Bella Hristova bring their effortless rapport to a new album of Brahms Violin Sonatas.