Chamber Music New Zealand

03/09/2026

The Dolfin-Lin Duo of pianist Tony Chen Lin and cellist Balázs Dolfin will be playing War Memorial Theatre Gisborne this Saturday, 5 September, 7.30pm, presenting music that is all about departures and new beginnings, and combining folk traditions from across Europe, China and New Zealand.

PROGRAMME

Zoltán Kodály | Magyar (Hungarian) Rondo

Anton Webern | Sonata for Cello and Piano

Johann Sebastian Bach | Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in D major, BWV1028,

Gao Ping | Sonata No.2 “Departure”

Belá Bartók | Rhapsody No.1

Nathanael Dejong | Abandoned Voices

Johannes Brahms | Sonata in E minor, Op.38

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/dolfin-lin/gisborne

02/09/2026

Pianist Tony Chen Lin and cellist Balázs Dolfin spoke to Bryan Crump on RNZ Concert about their tour of New Zealand, performing a programme that is all about departures and new beginnings.

They'll be playing in Gisborne this Saturday, Saturday 5 September, 7.30pm, at the War Memorial Theatre Gisborne.

PROGRAMME

Zoltán Kodály | Magyar (Hungarian) Rondo

Anton Webern | Sonata for Cello and Piano

Johann Sebastian Bach | Sonata for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord in D major, BWV1028,

Gao Ping | Sonata No.2 “Departure”

Belá Bartók | Rhapsody No.1

Nathanael Dejong | Abandoned Voices

Johannes Brahms | Sonata in E minor, Op.38

Tickets here: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/dolfin-lin/gisborne

Listen to the interview here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/crump-s-classical-conversation/story/2019050034/sharing-photos-leads-to-sharing-music

31/08/2026

“I have lived many lives through experiencing Ā Mua, and am honoured to have witnessed the stories, the music and the traditional instruments – taonga pūoro: singing treasures – in action.” – Talia Carlisle, reviewer

Christchurch, come and experience this unique journey across four lifetimes, exploring themes of taiao, whakapapa, and Māori futurism tomorrow (Tuesday 1 September) at The Piano at 7pm.

Presented in partnership with WORD Christchurch, Ā mua was created by Ockham-award-winning author Tina Makereti and multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor Dr Riki Pirihi.

With Christchurch Symphony Orchestra Principal Viola Serenity Thurlow on viola, Dr Ruby Solly on cello and taonga puoro, and Kiva Parsons-Pirihi and Al Fraser on taonga pūoro, Ā mua combines spoken word and music to create an immersive experience that reveals the great magic that is in all of us.

Tickets available here: https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/a-mua

Ā mua will also be performed at the Nelson Arts Festival and Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.

28/08/2026

Tune in to RNZ’s Playing Favourites this morning at 11am to hear conductor-composer, multi-instrumentalist and sound artist Riki Pirihi share some of the music that has shaped and inspired him, and talk about Ā mua ahead of its Ōtautahi Christchurch performance.

Created by Riki Pirihi and Ockham Award-winning author Tina Makereti in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, Ā mua brings together taonga pūoro, orchestral strings and spoken word in an exploration of Māori futurism, whakapapa and taiao.

Featuring:

Tina Makereti — author and narrator
Riki Pirihi — conductor-composer and taonga pūoro
Serenity Thurlow — viola
Ruby Solly — cello and taonga pūoro
Al Fraser — taonga pūoro
Kiva Parsons-Pirihi — taonga pūoro

Experience Ā mua live in Ōtautahi Christchurch, presented in partnership with WORD Christchurch

Tuesday 1 September, 7pm
The Piano

Tickets available here - https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/a-mua

📷Ā MUA, 2026 Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts, photos by Nick George

25/08/2026

Chamber Music NZ presents:
Dolfin-Lin Duo (cello & piano)
Saturday 5 September, 7:30pm
War Memorial Theatre
🎟 Book tickets now! https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/dolfin-lin/gisborne

Experience the pure beauty of music expressed by two international superstars Balázs Dolfin (Hungary) and Tony Chen Lin (NZ/China).

The fascinating programme includes works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Johannes Brahms, Zoltán Kodály and Belá Bartók, Gao Ping and Nathanael Dejong.

Dolfin-Lin, Presented by Chamber Music New Zealand, Chinese-New ..., Gisborne War Memorial Theatre, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay / Gisborne, 5 September 2026,

24/08/2026

We’re looking forward to the return of Ā mua to stages across the country following its world premiere in Wellington in the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts earlier this year, with a performance on 1 September in Ōtautahi Christchurch as part of WORD Christchurch.

Created by Ockham Award-winning author Tina Makereti and composer, conductor and multi-instrumentalist Riki Pirihi in partnership with CMNZ, Ā mua combines spoken word with an original score for taonga pūoro and orchestral strings.

Meaning ‘to the future’, Ā mua draws on whakapapa and Māori futurism to trace four lifetimes across war, street life and a near-future Aotearoa.

Following the performance, author Nic Low (Ngāi Tahu) will conduct a Q&A with Tina and Riki, talking about the collaboration process, how they both approached it, and more.

Tickets available from: https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/a-mua

20/08/2026

Tonight is your last chance to see Lucas and Arthur Jussen on their first tour of Aotearoa, with tomorrow’s Christchurch concert now SOLD OUT.

One of the most sought-after piano duos of our time, the brothers bring extraordinary precision, energy and connection to a programme spanning Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn, through to Stravinsky’s electrifying The Rite of Spring.

Last night they wowed audiences in the Great Hall at Auckland Town Hall, adding to the praise they have received throughout the tour: “incredible, beyond words”, “world-class performers”, “absolutely amazing” and “a rare treat; not to be missed”.

Tonight: Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin, 7.30pm
Tickets: https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/Show.aspx?sh=CMNZLAJA26

Dunedin Centre & Dunedin Town Hall
Dunedin NZ

Images: Megan Blackwell

20/08/2026

In the Otago Daily Times today, Lucas & Arthur Jussen talk about the football game that started their piano journeys and what it's like travelling the world as performers.

They're playing Auckland tonight, 7.30pm, Auckland Town Hall, and then they'll be headed to Dunedin tomorrow for their performance at the Glenroy Auditorium before finishing up with a sold out concert in Christchurch on Saturday.