Introducing our new cellist!
- New Zealand String Quartet
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
We are thrilled to announce that internationally renowned cellist Martin Smith will join the NZSQ in 2026. Martin will bring an impressive wealth of skills and talent to Aotearoa as he transitions into the role over the first half of 2026, beginning permanently in July.
After receiving his early training in Sydney, Martin furthered his study with leading teachers in Europe. Over the past two decades, he has appeared with leading orchestras on some of the world’s most celebrated stages. He has worked with renowned artists and composers commissioning new music and developing interdisciplinary collaborations. An experienced educator and teacher, he has taught prize-winners of numerous international competitions and led outreach music programmes around the world.
“I am incredibly honoured to be part of this next exciting chapter of the New Zealand String Quartet. For nearly 40 years, the NZSQ has been an integral part of the cultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand and has played such a pivotal role in the development of the next generation of young performers and composers. I am truly humbled to be welcomed into the NZSQ family and am looking forward to meeting and performing for you all across the country very soon!”
- Martin Smith
"We’re so excited about Martin joining the NZSQ, and all that he will bring to Aotearoa. A wonderful cellist and artist, we know that his deep musical intuition and generosity of spirit will be felt by audiences as soon as they hear him in concert. When the three of us played together for the first time, we felt an immediate musical chemistry - like three old friends sitting down together for dinner. The warm, rich tone Martin can produce from his instrument, coupled with his down-to-earth attitude, are things we can’t wait to welcome to our string quartet whānau.
Martin; Nau Mai! Haere Mai!"
- Gillian & Peter, NZSQ Violist and Violinist
“The work of the NZSQ extends far beyond the concert stage. Our musicians are educators, collaborators, and advocates for chamber music throughout the motu. Martin’s depth of experience across performance, teaching, and community engagement makes him uniquely well-suited to this role, and we’re excited to welcome him to the ensemble.”
- Aislinn Ryan, General Manager Kaiwhakahaere Matua, NZSQ Trust
Recruitment is still ongoing for our new violinist, but we are approaching the final stages and hope to have some more exciting news to share with you in early 2026.
You will have several opportunities to see Martin perform alongside Gill and Peter in early 2026: at the Adam International Chamber Music Festival in Nelson and at Last Leaf, Wandering East our concert in the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts in Wellington. Tickets for both events are on sale now!
After a brief return to Europe, Martin will then settle into this new role performing around the country and teaching at the New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī permanently from July 2026. Our full 2026 Season programme, showing further opportunities to see Martin perform, will be announced before the end of 2025.
In the meantime, we hope you'll join us in giving Martin a warm welcome!
Learn more about Martin
Winner of the ECHO Klassik Prize, Australian cellist Martin Smith is celebrated for his virtuosity and musical insight. He has established an international career as a soloist and chamber musician, appearing with leading orchestras including the Berliner Kammersolisten, Orchestre de Chambre de Lyon, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, RTÉ Symphony Orchestra, and RTS Symphony Orchestra Belgrade, and at venues including the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Palais des Beaux-Arts Brussels, Konzerthaus Vienna, and Wigmore Hall London.
Smith has collaborated with renowned artists including Kolja Blacher, Leon Fleisher, Midori Goto, Leonidas Kavakos, Yo-Yo Ma, Boris Pergamenschikov, Menahem Pressler, Heinrich Schiff, Antoine Tamestit, and Tabea Zimmermann, and works closely with leading composers including John Adams, Thomas Adès, Mats Larsson Gothe, György Kurtág, François Sarhan, and Salvatore Sciarrino.
Festival appearances include IMS Prussia Cove, Musica Strasbourg, Pablo Casals Prades, Piatigorsky, and Ravinia, and he has been honoured with awards including the Australian Music Foundation, DAAD Künstlerpreis, ECHO Klassik Prize, KPO Young Performer of the Year, and the Marten Bequest Scholarship.
As guest principal cellist, Smith has performed with the Bavarian State Opera, BBC Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonia Orchestra London, Royal Opera Stockholm, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, and Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, and with conductors including Herbert Blomstedt, Bernard Haitink, Daniel Harding, Mariss Jansons, Zubin Mehta, and Simon Rattle.
Smith received his early training in Sydney with Susan Blake and Uzi Wiesel, and furthered his studies in Europe with Hatto Beyerle, Eberhard Feltz, and Natalia Gutman. He continues to perform internationally and is a member of the Zafraan Ensemble Berlin and SMESCH Hamburg.
See Martin in concert
Adam International Chamber Music Festival
29 January—7 February 2026
Whakatū Nelson
Join us in Nelson early next year for ten days packed with stunning landscapes, award-winning food and wine and, of course, exceptional music-making.
Last Leaf, Wandering East (ANZFA)
Saturday 14 March, 4:30pm & 7pm
Prefab Hall, Wellington
A journey through Nordic, Celtic and klezmer tunes, featuring the Danish String Quartet's acclaimed album, Last Leaf, and new compositions by Ross Harris.