NZ String Quartet Storytellers Series: Anthology in Arrowtown

Behind every piece of music is a story and across their 2026 Season, the New Zealand String Quartet is diving into them. Join them at Arrowtown Lifestyle Village for an evening exploring a rich cross-section of compositional voices and celebrating the art of storytelling through music.

‘Anthology’ opens with a piece composed especially for the NZSQ: Mika Cornelius’s Universal Veil, an ethereal and atmospheric trip through the lifecycle of fungi. Schubert’s vibrant E flat major quartet shows the teenage composer finding his voice before Gareth Farr brings us home with the infectious personality of Mondo Rondo. Dvořák‘s String Quartet no. 12, opus 96, the beloved “American Quartet“, features sweeping melodies that evoke the spirit of exploration and adventure. Last Leaf, the acclaimed album by the Danish String Quartet reimagines early Scandinavian folk melodies, wandering through joy, sorrow and nostalgia.

Anthology programme:

Mika Cornelius Universal Veil

Franz Schubert String Quartet No. 10, in E flat major (D. 87)

Gareth Farr Mondo Rondo

Interval

Antonín Dvořák Movements from String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96 (The American Quartet)

Excerpts from the Danish String Quartet's album, Last Leaf

The concert programme, crafted in the NZSQ’s signature style, aims to engage audiences of all levels of familiarity with chamber music. Each piece of music is preceded by a lively and informative introduction delivered by the Quartet members themselves. These introductions seek to shed light on the stories behind the music, making it an enriching experience suitable for all audiences.