Events » Classical Expressions 2026 » Aroha String Quartet
Classical Expressions 2026 presents
Aroha String Quartet
Thursday 8 October | 7.30pm
Artists
- Haihong Liu | Violin
- Konstanze Artmann | Violin
- Zhongxian Jin | Viola
- Robert Ibell | Cello
Programme
Around the World in 90 Minutes; buckle up and travel around the globe with the Aroha String Quartet, with stopovers to sample the music of seven different countries on five continents - Europe, Asia, South America, North America and Zealandia.
The journey begins in Austria with a sunny, sparkling piece by the father of the string quartet, Josef Haydn. The programme then travels overland to Russia for Shostakovich’s Elegy & Polka and backtrack to Spain for Turina’s evocative Bullfighter’s Prayer, followed by New Zealand with the lovely Toccatina by Ross Carey. After interval the quartet takes us to China for an arrangement of the famous folk song Er Quan Ying Yue composed by blind erhu player A Bing. This music depicts the moon reflecting on the Er Quan spring. In Eastern Europe selections from Miniatures by Georgian composer Sulkhan Tsintsadze features with the world tour finishing in Argentina with Tango Ballet by tango-master Astor Piazzolla. This will be an exciting musical journey!
- Haydn | String Quartet in E-flat Op 64 No 6
- Shostakovich | Elegy & Polka
- Turina | Bullfighter’s Prayer
- Ross Carey | Toccatina
- A Bing | Er Quan Ying Yue (Reflections of the Moon on Er Quan)
- Tsintsadze | Miniatures
- Piazzolla | Tango Ballet
Run Time
90 minutes of music, plus interval
About the Group
Acclaimed as demonstrating "accomplished brilliance, soulfulness and sublime intensity in perfect balance and tonal unity" (The Dominion Post), the Aroha String Quartet is firmly established as one of New Zealand's finest chamber music ensembles.
Supported by Chamber Music New Zealand
Founded in 2004, this versatile Wellington-based quartet is known for its passionate musicality, impressive technique, and multicultural innovation.