Introducing our new first violinist!
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Danish violinist Peter Andreas Nielsen as the New Zealand String Quartet’s new first violinist. Peter Andreas will bring an impressive wealth of skills and talent to Aotearoa when he starts in the position early 2027.
Currently based in Copenhagen, Peter Andreas is a prominent figure on the Danish and Scandinavian music scene, performing regularly as a chamber and orchestral musician, often as guest principal with different orchestras. With a wide range of festival appearances and performances, he is already a very established violinist. He will formally join the Quartet in early 2027.
Peter Andreas first performed with the NZSQ in August this year, travelling to New Zealand to rehearse and appear in concert. His appointment follows an extensive international recruitment process and completes the Quartet's new line-up following the arrival of cellist Martin Smith earlier this year.
“I am very grateful and humbled to join the New Zealand String Quartet and to get to work with these great people. When I first met Gill, Peter and Martin, I was struck by our immediate chemistry and how easily we were able to play together. It all made sense. I firmly believe that everyone deserves the chance to listen to the wonderful string quartet repertoire, so I’m looking forward to sharing this beautiful music with audiences all over gorgeous Aotearoa.”
- Peter Andreas Nielsen
"Peter Andreas impressed us not only with his exceptional musicianship, but with his collaborative spirit, curiosity and commitment to chamber music. We’re very excited about this next chapter for the NZSQ.
Peter Andreas; Nau Mai! Haere Mai!"
- violist and founding member Gillian Ansell, MNZM
“The appointment of Peter Andreas completes an important period of renewal for the NZSQ. With our new cellist Martin Smith having joined the ensemble earlier this year and Peter Andreas arriving at the beginning of next year, 2027 is shaping up to be a momentous year for the NZSQ. As we approach our 40th anniversary, we look forward to continuing our mission of sharing transformational chamber music with audiences across Aotearoa and abroad.”
- Lynda Carroll, Chair of the NZSQ Trust
Peter Andreas joins the NZSQ at a particularly significant moment in our history. In 2027, we will celebrate our 40th anniversary, marking four decades of performance, commissioning, education and community engagement across Aotearoa. Peter Andreas’ imminent arrival will also coincide with the long-awaited reopening of Wellington Town Hall Te Whare Whakarauika and the establishment of the National Music Centre, where we will be actively involved through our partnership with the New Zealand School of Music-Te Kōkī.
Further details of our 2027 season and anniversary celebrations will be announced in December.
Until then, we hope you'll join us in giving Peter Andreas a warm welcome!
Learn more about Peter Andreas
Peter Andreas Nielsen is an established Danish violinist who performs as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader throughout Scandinavia, Europe and the United States. A prominent figure on Denmark's chamber music scene, he performs regularly with leading ensembles and musicians, as well as appearing as guest principal with various orchestras.
Peter Andreas studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music with Serguei Azizian and Tim Frederiksen, and at the Manhattan School of Music with Nicholas Mann. He completed his Advance Postgraduate Diploma (‘Soloist class’) in 2022 under the guidance of Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and Peter Herresthal, and has also undertaken chamber music studies with members of the Juilliard and Tokyo String Quartets.
A dedicated advocate for contemporary music, Peter Andreas has premiered numerous new works, including Falling – fantasia by acclaimed Danish composer Bent Sørensen, written especially for him.
Alongside his performing career, he is co-founder and Artistic Director of Kammermusik i Præstø, a Danish chamber music festival dedicated to bringing audiences and performers closer together through intimate and accessible concert experiences. From 2020 to 2022 he also served as assistant to Professor Peter Herresthal at the Royal Danish Academy of Music.
Peter Andreas performs on a 1770 Lorenzo Storioni violin kindly loaned by the Augustinus Foundation.
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