Reimagining Mozart – with Chamber Music NZ

13 - 29 Oct 2023

This stunning new arrangement of Mozart’s Requiem by Robert Wīremu recreates the virtuosic yet intimate experience of the chamber forces as originally imagined by Mozart, creating a wholly new and fresh perspective on this remarkable work.

Auckland

13 Oct 2023

8:00pm, Holy Trinity Cathedral

Hawke's Bay

14 Oct 2023

7:30pm, Waiapu Cathedral

Palmerston North

15 Oct 2023

3:00pm, St Peter's Anglican Church

Christchurch

27 Oct 2023

7:30pm, The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts

Nelson

28 Oct 2023

7:30pm, Christ Church Cathedral

Wellington

29 Oct 2023

3:00pm, St Mary's of the Angels

Left unfinished at the time of his death in 1791, Mozart’s Requiem is not only testament to his extraordinary talent but continues to be regarded as one of the most profound and moving musical expressions in classical music.

Programme Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (arr. Robert Wiremu) | Requiem in D minor K 626

About composer Robert Wīremu:

As an occasional composer, Robert has been relatively prolific in output. A student of the late Jack Body, the late David Farquhar, and the very active Ross Harris, Robert was a singer (studying with Emily Mair) specialising in new and old music. It’s not surprising then that he would focus his writing on work featuring the voice. He’s also strongly influenced by Māori sounds and perspectives, which is evident in his output.

Since the late 90s, Robert has taught musicianship and voice at the University of Auckland. During the majority of that period, he worked very closely with Karen Grylls, transforming the Auckland Chamber Choir, establishing applied approaches to the teaching of musicianship skills, and supporting the development of conducting studies.

About this project, he says: “The opportunity to reimagine a cultural masterwork, a giant in the classical canon, comes with a lot of expectation. Some will believe it inappropriate to touch such an icon, that Mozart was a perfect artist, and genius. This is not in dispute. Some will expect me to burn down the institutions and raze the establishment. I’ve had my ups and downs with Wolfgang, but I commit to this project with utmost respect. All I can offer is a commentary on how I hear the requiem, how it effects me, how I relate to it, how I live with it, how it infiltrates my days. That’s all!”

Voices NZ 25th Birthday

Happy birthday to us!

You may know that our 25th birthday is coming up, and we’re going to celebrate in style by going on this national tour with Chamber Music New Zealand.

There are two ways that you can help us celebrate as alumni or long-time of the choir. If you live in any of the places we’re taking ‘Reimagining Mozart’, please consider coming along. We and Karen would love to see you.

Secondly we encourage you to share in this group your photos and memories of Voices NZ over the years. We will collate and treasure them as we reflect on this milestone and the next 25 years. You can email them to choirs@choirsnz.co.nz

Ka rawe!