Shostakovich Unpacked | NZSQ + Jian Liu

Welcome to the grand finale of Shostakovich: Unpacked. A four-part concert series presented by New Zealand String Quartet and friends to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death.

So far, across three night-time gatherings, the NZSQ has taken to the stage with Orchestra Wellington, Antipodes Quartet and Ghost Trio to explore the raw emotional power of one of the 20th century’s most troubled, yet defiant, musical voices. Now, it’s time for the series to come to its climactic conclusion at the fourth programme, featuring renowned pianist Jian Liu.

Each concert features a specially curated selection of the chamber music of Shostakovich, paired with the unique voices of Aotearoa composers. From duets, to quartets, to a full chamber orchestra, we're getting up close to the celebrated chamber music and lasting legacy of Dmitri Shostakovich, 50 years after his death. This final programme features an exciting new composition by student composer, Estella Wallace. Estella is the recipient of the Finlayson Prize, developed by the New Zealand String Quartet Trust in partnership with New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī and SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music and generously sponsored by Hon. Christopher Finlayson. The prize invited students to compose a new piece for string quartet inspired by and responding to the life and works of Dmitri Shostakovich. Estella's new piece, Of Sorrows, will be performed by the NZSQ musicians alongside two of Shostakovich's most powerful works: his Piano Quintet, and the final piece he ever wrote, his Viola and Piano Sonata.

We invite you to join us in concluding the journey of “Shostakovich: UNPACKED”. Together we will explore and question what this powerful music meant in the time Shostakovich wrote it, and how vitally important the composer’s artistic voice still is today.

Concert Four: Tuesday 25 November, 6:30pm, NZSQ x Jian Liu

Artists onstage: NZSQ / Jian Liu

Shostakovich: Piano Quintet, Viola and Piano Sonata

Unpacked: Of Sorrows - a brand-new composition by emerging composer, Estella Wallace. Generously supported by Hon. Christopher Finlayson. Learn more.

Spotlight: The artistic culmination of “Shostakovich: UNPACKED”, and the heart of the entire series. Following a performance of Shostakovich’s celebrated Piano Quintet, bear witness to one of the most special artistic collaborations of 2025. Award-winning pianist Jian Liu joins beloved NZSQ founding member, Gillian Ansell MNZN, in the very last work written by Dmitri Shostakovich. Ending in hushed silence, and in almost total darkness, this concert will not only leave listeners deeply moved by what Shostakovich experienced throughout his own life but also inspire reflection of what we as human beings still experience throughout our world today.

Tickets: $15 - $55

Full series in order:

Wednesday 9 July, 6:30pm & 8:30pm, NZSQ + Orchestra Wellington | Wellington

Wednesday 6 August, 6:30pm, NZSQ + Antipodes Quartet | Wellington

Wednesday 24 September, 7pm, NZSQ + Ghost Trio | Auckland

Wednesday 1 October, 6:30pm, NZSQ + Ghost Trio | Wellington

Tuesday 28 October, 7pm, NZSQ + Jian Liu | Nelson

Tuesday 25 November, 6:30pm, NZSQ + Jian Liu | Wellington