Now back in New Zealand, attention is turning south to our summer engagements in Nelson at the Adam Chamber Music Festival (29 January – 7 February) and Adam Summer School (7 – 15 February). The Adam Chamber Music Festival is a performance-based international chamber music festival produced in Nelson every two years. It features guest artists from overseas as well as leading artists from around New Zealand performing exciting chamber music works, many made possible by the musical collaborations created during the festival. With Helene and Gillian as Artistic Directors, we are closely involved in the programming and planning, and each of us performs during the festival.
During this summer’s event, our members will play music ranging from Bach, Beethoven and Brahms through to Schönberg, Douglas Lilburn and Jack Body. We will share the concert stage with the Ying Quartet from the US, The Song Company from Australia, UK pianist Kathryn Stott, Australian clarinettist David Griffiths and New Zealand harpist Helen Webby.
Immediately following the Festival, along with our colleague, pianist Diedre Irons, we will be providing coaching, masterclasses and one-to-one tuition for 30 of New Zealand’s most talented young chamber musicians at the annual Adam Summer School. This summer’s school attracted a record 49 online applications. It provides an opportunity for students to commit themselves to eight days of intense chamber music making under our guidance.
Between them, this year’s participants will form two string quartets, one string septet, one viola quintet, two piano trios and one piano quartet that will perform in two public concerts at the conclusion of the school.