Playing from the heart (but not by heart!), the Aroha Quartet presents a programme of heart-warming music from the heart of the chamber music repertoire. Quartets by Haydn and Barber are complemented by works from Sam Piper and Beethoven.

We begin our concert with Haydn’t ‘Emperor’ String Quartet in C Op 76 No 3. Its famous slow movement is a set of variations on a hymn to the Austrian Kaiser.

American composer Samuel Barber wrote in 1936 to a friend “I have just finished the slow movement of my quartet today (and) it’s a knockout”. Like a huge inbreath and outbreath, this amazing piece (often performed by string orchestra as the Barber Adagio) is flanked by two wonderful outer movements.

The tuneful, folky ‘Dance of the Sidhe’ by New Zealand composer Sam Piper follows the interval. Last in our programme is Beethoven’s glorious String Quartet No 10 in E-flat. This piece covers the range of human moods, from tranquil calm, to restlessness, heartfelt outbursts and resolute determination. Its nickname, ‘Harp’, comes from the striking pizzicato section in the first movement.

Biographical Notes

Aroha String Quartet
Haihong Liu & Konstanze Artmann - violins
Eli Vincent - viola
Robert Ibell - cello

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.
Founded in 2004, this versatile Wellington-based quartet is known for its passionate musicality, impressive technique, and multicultural innovation
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The Aroha Quartet is committed to presenting string quartet works from western classical and avant-garde repertoire to traditional Chinese folk music, as well as works for larger forces through collaborations with numerous high-profile musicians.
The Aroha Quartet performs regularly around Aotearoa in centres from the Deep South to the Far North.
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The members of the the Aroha Quartet are committed educators. The Quartet runs the annual ASQ International Music Academy, a week-long chamber music course in Wellington. They also undertake a variety of educational projects around Aotearoa each year.