NZTRIO

NZTRIO

AMALIA HALL violin, MATTHIAS BALZAT cello, SOMI KIM piano

Described as a “national treasure” and “New Zealand’s most indispensable ensemble” (William Dart, NZ Herald), NZTrio is renowned for its eclectic repertoire, outstanding talent and warm kiwi stage presence. Any preconceptions of classical music being stuffy or intimidating are smashed by edgy repertoire, venue ambience, and enthusiastic post-concert interaction with audiences. The ensemble comprises three highly accomplished artists and every NZTrio performance powerfully reaffirms the importance and cathartic nature of a live musical experience in today’s digital world. Expect to be affected.

A respected ambassador of contemporary New Zealand music, NZTrio holds a remarkable track record of over 75 new commissions to date (more than 2/3 from NZ composers). They showcase those commissions across many of their recordings and in concerts around the country and overseas, matching them with other fascinating contemporary works and familiar masterpieces. The trio has proudly featured at least one New Zealand composition in every concert throughout its two-decade history.

Critical acclaim for the group extends to a Tui for Best Classical Artist at the 2017 Vodafone NZ Music Awards for their Rattle release, Sway, two citation awards: the KBB Music/CANZ citation (2012), and the Lilburn Trust Citation (2017) – both for outstanding services to New Zealand Music. As well as an ever-expanding catalogue of recorded work that includes bright tide moving between (2007), Flourishes (2010), Lightbox (2015) and Vicissitudes (2016, a jazz-meets-classical collaboration with the Mike Nock Trio that was a finalist at the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards in the Best Jazz artist category). They also contributed to works on John Psathas’s Helix (2010) and Jack Body’s Passing On (2016).

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AMALIA HALL violin

Born and raised in New Zealand, Amalia made her debut with the Auckland Philharmonia when she was only nine years old. By her late teens, she had won all of the major national awards in New Zealand and multiple laureate prizes internationally. She studied at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music with Pamela Frank and Joseph Silverstein, preceded by studies at the University of Auckland with Dimitri Atanassov. Amalia has received widespread acclaim for her ability to move audiences with her “sumptuous and sweet tone”, inherent musicality and natural facility. She is a regular soloist with orchestras at home and abroad, and her extensive performance schedule has included concerti and recitals throughout Europe, the USA, Asia, South Africa, South America and NZ. She has held teaching positions at the University of Waikato, given masterclasses at universities and conservatories in Italy, England and is currently the concertmaster for Orchestra Wellington. Amalia plays on the “Baron Knoop” Vincenzo Rugeri violin from c. 1700, generously on loan from a private benefactor.

MATTHIAS BALZAT cello

New Zealand-born cellist Matthias gained recognition as one of the most promising soloists and chamber musicians of his generation. A laureate of international competitions, among them the Schoenfeld International Cello Competition, the ROSL Annual Music Competition, Accordi Musicali International Cello Competition, and every major competition in New Zealand. He has established himself on major stages across Europe, Asia, and the Pacific.

Matthias’ musician journey began at the age of three, and has since taken him around the globe. Completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato at just seventeen, he also holds a prestigious Konzertexamen and Master’s degree from the Robert Schumann Hochschule under Pieter Wispelwey in Düsseldorf. A seasoned performer, Matthias has graced stages across Europe, United Kingdom, Australia and Aotearoa, as a soloist, chamber musician and with the Ares Trio.

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SOMI KIM piano

A South Korean born New Zealander, Somi has established herself as a highly regarded and versatile pianist. She has extensive competition and concert experience and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. She graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Performance and Master of Arts with Distinction, receiving the HRH Princess Alice the Duchess of Gloucester’s Prize, a DipRAM and the Christian Carpenter Prize for the Best Recital. Sought after as a chamber musician, accompanist and répétiteur, Somi is a staff pianist at the International Holland Music Sessions, International Vocal Competition‘s-Hertogenbosch, Gisborne International Music Competition and the New Zealand Opera School. In recital, Somi’s appearances include Het Concertgebouw, Slovak Philharmonic, Wigmore Hall, St. John’s Smith Square, Cadogan Hall and the Edinburgh Fringe and Oxford Lieder Festivals. In mid-2021 she made her debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra playing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.