...Thank you for a wonderful evening yesterday! Words cannot express the joy to be had in attending such a concert. With grateful thanks, and looking forward to your next visit....
(Audience member, Palmerston North, 2018)
Aroha Quartet goes even one better with Oleksandr Gunchenko’s double-bass
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Onslow: String Quintet No 15 in C min Op 59 'The Bullet'
Louise Webster: Swim the Sliding Continents
Dvořák: String Quintet No 2 in G, Op. 77
When: Friday, July 12 2024, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Monday, July 15, 2024, in "

Middle-C

"

I had heard the name George Onslow mentioned in various reviews of recordings over the years, but had never “taken the plunge”, being culpably averse to taking up the music of any “new” composer unseen or unheard – I must admit to a sneaking propensity for the “bowled over by something new” experience in such matters, which is exactly what happened on Friday evening at St.Andrew’s in Wellington, with a first hearing of one of Onslow’s String Quintets, sensationally presented by the Aroha String Quartet with double-bassist Olelsandr Gunchenko.




Aroha String Quartet plus Oleksandr Gunchenko at Cornerstone/Whare Karakia o Manako, Kerikeri
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Boccherini: String Quintet in D Op 39 No 3 G339
Onslow: String Quintet No 15 in C min Op 59 'The Bullet'
Louise Webster: Swim the Sliding Continents
Silvestrov: Postlude
Dvořák: String Quintet No 2 in G, Op. 77
When:
Where: Cornerstone/Whare Karakia o Manako, 144 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri
Reviewed by: Bruce Carlsson, Sunday, March 24, 2024, in "

Aroha Music Society

"

What a difference a bass makes! Though numerous string quintets have been composed over time – Boccherini himself wrote over 120 of them – they don’t often feature in concert performances, rather playing second fiddle to the far more prolific and popular string quartets. However, whether the quintet substitutes a double bass for a second cello, as in the Onslow, or the score intentionally calls for a double bass alongside the cello, as in the Boccherini and Dvorak, the impact of having the bass with the quartet is profound, delighting the senses with the depth and sonority that it brings.




Christopher's Classics - at The Piano, Christchurch - 27 September 2022
By: Aroha String Trio
In:
Schubert: String Trio in B-flat D471
Fisher: Mata-Au for String Trio
Dohnányi: Serenade for String Trio in C Op 10
Françaix: String Trio
Beethoven: Serenade for String Trio in D Op 8
When: Tuesday, September 27 2022, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Piano, 156 Armagh St, Christchurch
Reviewed by: Tony Ryan, Tuesday, September 27, 2022, in "

Christopher's Classics

"

If the String Quartet combination inspired many composers (Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Bartok, Shostakovich . . .) to some of their greatest and most deeply personal utterances, the String Trio medium seems to have encouraged their less serious sensibilities. Both Beethoven and Schubert left us works in both forms and, in this Christopher’s Classics concert, the Aroha Quartet-minus-one brought us, as the Aroha Trio, examples of both composers’ lighter side in a programme that was sheer delight.




Late afternoon sunlight
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major K581
Piazzolla: Oblivion for Clarinet & String Quartet
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op 115
When: Sunday, May 1 2022, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Anne French, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in "

Middle-C

"

This was the first concert of a new season for Wellington Chamber Music, and the organisers must have been anxious. The pandemic has changed audiences and the business of giving concerts. Would they come?

They needn’t have worried. St Andrew’s was pleasantly full for this delightful concert, featuring Rachel Vernon on clarinet.




Whangarei right royally entertained by Vernon and Aroha’s class act
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major K581
Piazzolla: Oblivion for Clarinet & String Quartet
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op 115
When: Thursday, April 21 2022, 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: Old Library Arts Centre, 7 Rust Ave, Whangarei
Reviewed by: Paul Serotsky, Friday, April 29, 2022, in "

Seen and Heard International

"

This was the second of Whangarei Music Society’s 2022 season of five recitals (unfortunately I missed the first one). I think that a five-recital season may be a record – it was certainly born of a desire to compensate a little for the impact of Covid-19 on the last two seasons.




Intensity, conflict, and resolve from the Aroha Quartet and oboist Robert Orr at Lower Hutt
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Britten: Phantasy Quartet for Oboe & String Trio Op 2
Beethoven: String Quartet in F, Op 59 No 1 (Rasumovsky)
Alex Taylor: refrain
Bliss: Quintet for Oboe & String Quartet
When: Tuesday, September 8 2020, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Marks Church, Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Tuesday, September 8, 2020, in "

Middle-C

"

I thought this concert featured a most enterprising programme, a combination of familiar and relatively unfamiliar music, with works for oboe and strings framing two strings-only pieces, providing continual interest and variety for listeners. With each of the concert’s “halves” featuring a shorter, followed by a longer piece, the presentation had an unforced ease of both delivery and reception, the ensemble’s efforts warmly acclaimed at the concert’s end.




Aroha Quartet with Robert Orr
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Britten: Phantasy Quartet for Oboe & String Trio Op 2
Beethoven: String Quartet No 7 in F Op 59 No 1 'Rasumovsky'
Alex Taylor: refrain
Bliss: Quintet for Oboe & String Quartet
When: Thursday, September 3 2020, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: The Piano, 156 Armagh St, Christchurch
Reviewed by: Tony Ryan, Thursday, September 3, 2020, in "

Christopher's Classics

"

Comparisons may be odious, but as someone who attends so many live concerts, I can’t help referring to my most memorable musical encounters as benchmarks in the search for similarly uplifting experiences. So, while this concert from the Aroha String Quartet with oboist Robert Orr may not have equalled the best of those we have heard in the Christopher’s Classics series in recent times, there was still much to enjoy.




Unbound
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 33 No 3 'The Bird'
Bisley: Unbound
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor Op 34
When: Sunday, December 1 2019, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Stephen Gibbs, Thursday, December 5, 2019, in "

DMS Review Blog

"

tldr: the short story

An excellent concert from the Aroha Quartet and Diedre Irons.
The Haydn was energised and the Brahms was stormy, potent and robust. The applause confirmed the audience’s enjoyment of the performance.
Unbound, by Brigid Bisley was and excellent work – contemporary but accessible and very well played by the quartet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The long story:




Haydn, Brahms and Brigid Bisley in superb recital from Diedre Irons and the Aroha Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 33 No 3 'The Bird'
Bisley: Unbound
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor Op 34
When: Sunday, December 1 2019, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Sunday, December 1, 2019, in "

Middle C

"

Haydn’s The Bird
The last 2019 concert from the Aroha Quartet opened with Haydn’s quartet, The Bird, creating sounds that were quite stunning: not in the normal sense of fortissimo, exciting or cacophonous, but with sounds that were hardly of a string quartet at all. They were of such refinement and purity that they really did evoke the subtlest of bird calls that were pure and secretive, unearthly. The marking allegro moderato meant little as speed seemed quite irrelevant given that the music’s character was determined by the rare sound and unique spiritual quality the players generated.




Aroha String Quintet tames Brahms in Palmerston North concert
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 33 No 3 'The Bird'
Bisley: Unbound
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor Op 34
When: Wednesday, November 13 2019, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Globe Theatre, 312 Main St, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Malcolm Hopwood, Friday, November 15, 2019, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

Brahms' Piano Quintet in F Minor is like a campaign for change that's sweeping the world.

It has something to say and is unstoppable in saying it.

The sublime quintet was the final work presented by The Aroha String Quartet with pianist, Diedre Irons, at The Globe, Palmerston North, on Wednesday night.

It has drive, determination and rhythmic muscularity. Brahms poured plenty of ideas into the quintet and the musicians tamed the work with a powerful interpretation. What upheld their performance was exuberance.




Aroha Quartet delivers with a flourish of triumph
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 17 in B-flat major K458 'The Hunt'
Bisley: Unbound
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor Op 34
When: Wednesday, September 11 2019, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Marama Hall, University of Otago, Leith St, Dunedin
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Bouman, Friday, September 13, 2019, in "

Otago Daily Times

"

Wellington-based string quartet Aroha Quartet (founded in 2004) presented a recital at Marama Hall on Wednesday evening and, with New Zealand concert pianist and renowned teacher Diedre Irons, became a quintet to perform Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F minor.




Aroha Quartet with Diedre Irons
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 17 in B-flat major K458 'The Hunt'
Bisley: Unbound
Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor Op 34
When: Tuesday, July 16 2019, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Paul's, 89 Tennyson St, Napier
Reviewed by: Louis Pierard, Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in "

The Hook

"

The Aroha Quartet, one of the nation’s musical treasures, comprises members of the NZSO. With economy of effort, the players therefore plan their performance schedule around the regional habits of their orchestra. Unlike most visiting chamber music groups, the tour and its publicity fall outside the ambit of the highly successful NZ Chamber Music’s successful subscription series, an enterprise that guarantees effective concert promotion and consequent good attendances.




Metamorphoses
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 17 in B-flat major K458 'The Hunt'
Ligeti: String Quartet No 1 'Métamophoses nocturnes'
Beethoven: String Quartet No 13 in B-flat major Op 130
When: Tuesday, May 7 2019, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Stephen Gibbs, Thursday, May 9, 2019, in "

DMSreviewblog

"

tldr – the short story:

The balance and blend between the quartet’s instruments was exemplary. It was a satisfying performance, filled with excellent characterisations of the music – but the highlight was the Ligeti. They ‘nailed’ it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The long story:




A memorable concert from the Aroha Quartet: exciting Ligeti and a Beethoven masterpiece
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 17 in B-flat major K458 'The Hunt'
Ligeti: String Quartet No 1 'Métamophoses nocturnes'
Beethoven: String Quartet No 13 in B-flat major Op 130
When: Tuesday, May 7 2019, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Steven Sedley, Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in "

Middle C

"

With concerts by two string quartets, the New Zealand String Quartet and the Aroha Quartet within two days, the Brodsky quartet on the 20th and the Kiwa quartet on the 26th of May seems like a festival of string quartets. With so much music, it is the works that challenge that makes these concerts memorable.




Impressive Interpretation
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 76 No 3 'Emperor'
Ross Carey: Toccatina (Elegy)
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 11 in F minor Op 122
Dvořák: String Quartet No 12 in F major Op 96 'American'
When: Wednesday, November 14 2018, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Knox Church, 449 George St, Dunedin
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Bouman, Friday, November 16, 2018, in "

Otago Daily Times

"

The Aroha Quartet performed for a small audience in Knox Church on Wednesday evening, with a programme entitled “Light and Dark.”

The Wellington-based string quartet opened their recital with a lightermood work —Haydn’s String Quartet in C Op.76 No. 3 (Emperor), famous for its variations on an anthem originally written for Kaiser Franz II. I found this a rather lacklustre delivery, but their other works were vibrant with impressive interpretation.




Aroha Quartet with animated delightful robust evening concert at St Andrews
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 76 No 3 'Emperor'
Ross Carey: Toccatina (Elegy)
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 11 in F minor Op 122
Dvořák: String Quartet No 12 in F major Op 96 'American'
When: Wednesday, September 26 2018, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Rosemary Collier, Wednesday, September 26, 2018, in "

Middle C

"

It was most unfortunate that this concert had had to be rescheduled; this made it clash with another chamber music concert in the city, which was presumably responsible for the rather small audience.
Anne Loeser substituted for the regular second violinist Ursula Evans, the latter having had an injury.




Light & Dark: The Aroha String Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 76 No 3 'Emperor'
Ross Carey: Toccatina (Elegy)
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 11 in F minor Op 122
Dvořák: String Quartet No 12 in F major Op 96 'American'
When: Tuesday, August 14 2018, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Lantern Gallery, Havelock North Function Centre, 30 Te Mata Rd, Havelock North
Reviewed by: Louis Pierard, Tuesday, August 14, 2018, in "

The Hook

"

What is one to make of the fact that a well-publicised chamber music event, that promised – and proved to deliver – so much, should draw such a tiny audience?




Tutors at the ASQ Academy confirm their stature in rare Shostakovich quartet plus other masterpieces
By: Aroha String Quartet & guest artists
In:
Mozart: Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor K478
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 11 in F minor Op 122
Dvorak: String Quintet No 3 in E-flat major Op 97
When: Thursday, July 26 2018, 12:15pm - 1:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in "

Middle C

"

Rosemary Collier’s review of Wednesday’s concert by participants in the 2018 Aroha String Quartet International Music Academy, offered a view of the level of performance skill that emerged from the week-long participation in the Academy, the fourth in what has become an annual event. Middle C appears to have overlooked them in the past. Further recitals by participants are taking place in the evenings and notably on Saturday evening, 28 July.




Admirable results of a week of string instrument coaching from the Aroha String Quartet
By: ASQ Academy 2018 participants
In: TBA
When: Wednesday, July 25 2018, 12:15pm - 1:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Rosemary Collier, Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in "

Middle-C

"

The Aroha Quartet is innovative in a number of ways, not least in convening this annual week-long course for amateur string players of all ages, participants coming from Australia and China as well as New Zealand. The music they produced, without much time for rehearsal, was remarkable.




Aroha String Quartet present expressive performance in Palmerston North
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 76 No 3 'Emperor'
Ross Carey: Toccatina (Elegy)
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 11 in F minor Op 122
Dvořák: String Quartet No 12 in F major Op 96 'American'
When: Wednesday, May 23 2018, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Globe Theatre, 312 Main St, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Stephen Fisher, Friday, May 25, 2018, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

Performances by the Aroha String Quartet are often characterised by imaginative programming, the ensemble selecting their repertoire across a range of periods and style.

Wednesday's concert was no exception with its winning mix of the familiar with works that are heard far less frequently, going a long way to ensure audiences broaden their listening pleasure.

Haihong Liu led the ensemble from the first violin stand, supported by Zhongxian Jin on the viola and Palmerston North's own Robert Ibell on the cello.




Aroha Quartet: one of the year’s most wonderful lunchtime concerts
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in C Op 76 No 3 'Emperor'
Dvořák: String Quartet No 12 in F major Op 96 'American'
When: Wednesday, December 6 2017, 12:15pm - 1:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Wednesday, December 6, 2017, in "

Middle-C

"

Though St Andrew’s free lunchtime concerts usually populate the church very respectably, a professional group like the Aroha Quartet (though I assume they play, like all performers in these concerts, without payment) tends to draw a larger crowd and that was the case this week. Both the reputation of the quartet and the choice of music accounted for the responsive audience today; it enjoyed quite long applause, and several of the more discerning listeners stood at the end to show their delight.

Haydn




China/New Zealand Ode to the Moon concert with a radiant Aroha Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
arr. A Ke-Jian & Zheng De-Ren 又称陕北道情 , 阿克俭,郑德仁改编: Song of Emancipation 翻身道情
arr. Xiao-Zhi Huang 黄晓芝编: Camel Bell 驼铃
Zhou Long 周龙: Eight Chinese Folk Songs 中国民歌八首
arr. Xiao-Zhi Huang 黄晓芝编: Happy Harvest 庆丰收
Anthony Ritchie: Whakatipua
Yuan-Kai Bao 鲍元恺: Three Folk Miniatures 小曲三首
Ding Shan-De: Reflection of the moon in the Er-quan spring 二泉映月(丁善德编曲)
David Farquhar: Dance Suite from 'Ring Around the Moon'
arr. Zhu Jian-Er & Shi Yong-Kang: The Whitehaired Girl 白毛女(施永康, 朱践耳改编)
When: Sunday, October 1 2017, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Sunday, October 1, 2017, in "

Middle-C

"

This was one of those concerts that, had I been an ordinary audience member I would have looked forward to immensely! However, being a reviewer and facing the prospect of commenting on a genre of music about which I knew very little, I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation about what I might encounter!




Digestible lunchtime concerts: whole and parts of lovely music from Aroha String Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Rossini: String Sonata No 1 in G major
Beethoven: String Trio No 3 in G major Op. 9 No 1
Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major D667 Op 114 'The Trout'
Brahms: Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor Op 25
When: Wednesday, August 2 2017, 12:10pm - 1:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Wednesday, August 2, 2017, in "

Middle-C

"

This week, from 1 to 6 August, the Aroha String Quartet International Music Academy, supported by Trinity College in London, is being held at St Andrew’s. This concert was a sampler employing just five of the tutors at the Academy. The others, not involved with today’s concert, are Ursula Evans – second violin in the Quartet; Donald Armstrong – violin and string ensemble director, Ken Ichinose – cello), Robin Perks, Michael Cuncannon and Manshan Yang (chamber music).




More power to String Trios – the Aroha Ensemble at St.Andrew’s-on-The-Terrace
By: Aroha Ensemble
In:
Beethoven: String Trio No 3 in G major Op. 9 No 1
Penderecki: String Trio
Mozart: Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat major K563
When: Sunday, June 11 2017, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Sunday, June 11, 2017, in "

Middle-C

"

There's no doubt that the string quartet as a genre has dominated the world of chamber music since the time of Josef Haydn - the repertoire is astonishing in its depth and diversity, and together with the sheer number of ensembles, both historical and contemporary, constitutes almost a world of its own. The effect of this has, I think, tended to downplay the "presence" in the chamber music firmament, of differently constituted groups, and possibly their "status" in the minds of many music-lovers, as being somehow lesser or slighter in content or importance.




Fine recital by string ensemble
By: Aroha Ensemble
In:
Beethoven: String Trio No 3 in G major Op. 9 No 1
Penderecki: String Trio
Mozart: Divertimento for String Trio in E-flat major K563
When: Monday, April 24 2017, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Mornington Methodist Church, 1 Galloway St, Dunedin
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Bouman, Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in "

Otago Daily Times

"

The Aroha Quartet has brought chamber music to many New Zealand venues since it was founded in 2004. This year one of their members has taken leave, and so it was the Aroha Ensemble (Haihong Liu, Zhongxian Jin and Robert Ibell) who performed in Dunedin for the first time, presenting a programme entitled Masterworks for String Trio last evening in the Mornington Methodist Church.




Schubert's Chamber Music Swan-Song
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Schubert: String Quartet No 10 in E flat major Op. 125 No 1 D87
Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D 956
When: Sunday, June 5 2016, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Sunday, June 5, 2016, in "

Middle C

"

It's almost inconceivable that a "Schubertiade" of the kind organized here at St.Andrew's-on-the-Terrace would not include the composer's last and greatest chamber music work. This, of course, is the String Quintet in C Major D.958, which was completed just two months before Schubert's death, a work he never heard performed. In fact it had to wait until 1850 for its first public performance, and another three years before it was actually published.




Concert Review: Aroha String Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in G Op. 33 No 5 "How do you do?"
Piazzolla: Tango Ballet
Anthony Ritchie: Whakatipua
Mendelssohn: String Quartet No 6 in F minor Op. 80
When: Tuesday, May 17 2016, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Augustine's Anglican Church, 5 Cracroft Terrace, Christchurch
Reviewed by: David Sell, Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in "

The Press

"

One of the many perks from the visits to Christchurch of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is the occasional recitals by one of the chamber ensembles made up from its members. The Aroha String Quartet is one such group.




Aroha Quartet revisits Waikanae Music Society with polished, well-balanced programme
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in G Op. 33 No 5 "How do you do?"
Piazzolla: Tango Ballet
Anthony Ritchie: Whakatipua
Mendelssohn: String Quartet No 6 in F minor Op. 80
When: Sunday, April 10 2016, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Waikanae Memorial Hall
Reviewed by: Rosemary Collier, Sunday, April 10, 2016, in "

Middle C

"

It is always a pleasure to hear the Aroha String Quartet and their varied programmes.

The Haydn quartet had a rather sotto voce commencement; the movement was described in the programme notes as a greeting, such as ‘how do you do’. All of Haydn’s jollity and wit were present.




Quartet offers much to savour
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in G Op. 33 No 5 "How do you do?"
Piazzolla: Tango Ballet
Anthony Ritchie: Whakatipua
Mendelssohn: String Quartet No 6 in F minor Op. 80
When: Wednesday, March 23 2016, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Andrew's in the City, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Stephen Fisher, Thursday, March 24, 2016, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

The Aroha Quartet returned to the city this week with another of their beautifully planned programmes, this recital featuring music by Haydn, Piazzolla, Ritchie and Mendelssohn.

Notably, this was the first local appearance of their new second violinist, Simeon Broome, who joined the familiar Haihong Liu (violin), Zhongxian Jin (viola) and our own expat cellist, Robert Ibell.




Aroha Quartet , with SOUNZ and RNZ Concert, does local composers proud
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Anthony Ritchie: Whakatipua
Jeroen Speak: Auxetos
Kirsten Strom: Purity
Ross Carey: Toccatina (Elegy)
Alex Taylor: refrain
Blas Gonzalez: SPASMS
Helen Bowater: this desperate edge of now
When: Monday, October 26 2015, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Monday, October 26, 2015, in "

Middle-C

"

This concert was the initial fruitful outcome of a new collaborative project between SOUNZ (Centre for New Zealand Music), Radio New Zealand Concert, and the Aroha Quartet. It was undertaken in association with CANZ (Composers’ Association of New Zealand) and Chamber Music New Zealand.




Great feeling in Aroha Quartet performance
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet in E flat major Op. 33 No 2 "The Joke"
Lilburn: String Quartet in E minor
Beethoven: String Quartet in C major Op. 59 No 3 "Rasumovsky"
When: Wednesday, May 13 2015, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: St Andrew's in the City, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Stephen Fisher, Friday, May 15, 2015, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

Maybe because of family connections, the Wellington-based Aroha Quartet are the most frequently heard string quartet in our city and, in this situation, I always fear that listener fatigue may set in.

However, the Quartet itself seems to have faced this issue, always ensuring their programmes reflect great variety and interest.

Wednesday's programme was no exception, featuring two well known quartets by Haydn and Beethoven placing them alongside Lillburn's String Quartet in E minor.




Aroha String Quartet’s tenth anniversary concert offers excellent, varied, exquisite programme
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in A major Op. 18 No 5
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 1 in C major Op. 49
Chinese Traditional Works
Ravel: String Quartet in F
When: Sunday, December 7 2014, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: Old St Paul's, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Sunday, December 7, 2014, in "

Middle C

"

The first performance by Wellington’s Aroha String Quartet took place in this venue at this time on 5 December, just 10 years ago. I wrote a review of it in The Dominion Post, ending “This is one of the finest ensembles to emerge from the NZSO ranks. I hope they can find the time to give many more concerts”. I’ve always felt pleased to have been there. This time, too, their concert clashed with another, the same, by the Wellington Chamber Orchestra, which again had the result of smaller audiences at both.




Audience transported to another time and place
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in A major Op. 18 No 5
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 1 in C major Op. 49
Chinese Traditional Works
Ravel: String Quartet in F
When: Saturday, October 25 2014, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Knighton Rd (Uni Gate 2b), Hillcrest, Hamilton
Reviewed by: Andrew Buchanan-Smart, Tuesday, October 28, 2014, in "

Waikato Times

"

The Aroha String Quartet celebrate their 10th anniversary this year and during this time they have become a significant chamber ensemble in New Zealand. The quartet have the ability to draw the audience into their world of warm sonorities where delicate dynamic levels pervade. In this programme of quartet masterpieces from the German, Russian and French repertoire, the different styles enabled the ensemble to show their versatility, which was greatly enhanced by two very beautiful Chinese works with a soundscape that enthralled and enriched the audience.




Stunning symphonies from Aroha Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in A major Op. 18 No 5
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 1 in C major Op. 49
Chinese Traditional Works
Ravel: String Quartet in F
When: Thursday, October 23 2014, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 92 Devon St, New Plymouth
Reviewed by: Allan Purdy, Tuesday, October 28, 2014, in "

Taranaki Daily News

"

Aroha indeed. Chamber Music New Zealand's 2014 concert series in New Plymouth concluded on Friday night with a glowing performance by the Aroha Quartet, which basked the audience in the gentle warmth of their playing style.

Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, the players have developed a very impressive homogeneity of tone and balance, especially as three of them are also full-time members of the NZSO.




Quartet members show joy at playing together
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in A major Op. 18 No 5
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 1 in C major Op. 49
Chinese Traditional Works
Ravel: String Quartet in F
When: Friday, October 24 2014, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Speirs Centre, 263 Featherston St, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Stephen Fisher, Saturday, October 25, 2014, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

Featuring Robert Ibell on cello, one of our city's creative giants, the Aroha String Quartet have performed regularly in Palmerston North, but this was the first time they have appeared as part of Chamber Music New Zealand's Kaleidoscope Series.

Thursday night's concert proved that this was a most deserved accolade, their beautifully chosen programme giving the quartet the opportunity to reveal their excellent sense of ensemble with some exquisite playing.




Quartet's debut was so satisfying
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in A major Op. 18 No 5
Shostakovich: String Quartet No 1 in C major Op. 49
Chinese Traditional Works
Ravel: String Quartet in F
When: Monday, October 13 2014, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Old St John's Church, 320 Hardy St, Nelson
Reviewed by: Margot Hannigan, Tuesday, October 14, 2014, in "

Nelson Mail

"

What an international language classical music is. And the Aroha Quartet truly communicates this.

All four musicians play in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, but the first violinist Haihong Liu, and viola player Zhongxian Jin, were born in China. Second violinist Blythe Press and cellist Robert Ibell were born and trained in New Zealand. Yet their harmony and musical sensitivity are totally shared.




Much love for Aroha String Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 1 in G major KV 80
Zhou Long 周龙: Eight Chinese Folk Songs 中国民歌八首
Sam Piper: Dance of the Sidhe
Shostakovich: Elegy & Polka
Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat major Op. 18 No 6
When: Sunday, May 25 2014, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Where: St Mark's Anglican Church, Te Aroha
Reviewed by: Andrew Buchanan-Smart, Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in "

Waikato Times

"

St Mark’s Church with its lovely acoustic was the ideal venue for their 10th anniversary concert. The Aroha Quartet is a significant chamber ensemble in NZ creating fine performances and loyal audiences. Aroha is a worthy name for this ensemble because of the warm and impassioned performances they give; this performance was no exception.




Innovative and balanced programme from Aroha Quartet at Waikanae
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 1 in G major KV 80
Sam Piper: Dance of the Sidhe
Zhou Long 周龙: Eight Chinese Folk Songs 中国民歌八首
Schubert: String Quartet No 15 in G major Op. 161 D. 887
When: Sunday, May 18 2014, 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Waikanae Memorial Hall
Reviewed by: Rosemary Collier, Sunday, May 25, 2014, in "

Middle C

"

What immediately struck me was not that Mozart should have written such a quartet at the age of 14, remarkable as that is, but rather the beauty of the playing by the Aroha Quartet. Their tone, subtle gradation of dynamics, their blend and balance were utterly disarming. Unafraid of playing real pianissimos, these musicians brought much light and shade, and delicacy, to this, the first of Mozart’s string quartets.




A concert to savour
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quartet No 1 in G major KV 80
Farr: Mondo Rondo
Zhou Long 周龙: Eight Chinese Folk Songs 中国民歌八首
Shostakovich: Elegy & Polka
Debussy: String Quartet
When: Wednesday, November 20 2013, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: St Andrew's in the City, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Stephen Fisher, Wednesday, November 20, 2013, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

Aroha Quartet in Near and Far(r), St Andrew's in the City, Wednesday, November 20. Reviewed by Stephen Fisher.

With their highly imaginative programming, the Aroha String Quartet can be relied upon to present a programme of great audience appeal, and Wednesday night's recital, in the very warm acoustics of St Andrew's, was no exception.

Featuring Haihong Liu and Blythe Press on violins, Zhongxian Jin on viola and Robert Ibell on the cello, the quartet play with great rapport and an undoubted sensitivity towards the music of each other.




Aroha Quartet fills the Futuna Chapel with impressionist and colouful music
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
arr. Zhu Jian-Er & Shi Yong-Kang: The Whitehaired Girl 白毛女(施永康, 朱践耳改编)
Shostakovich: Elegy & Polka
Debussy: String Quartet
When: Sunday, November 3 2013, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Where: Futuna Chapel, Karori, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Sunday, November 3, 2013, in "

Middle C

"

Prefatory note: The Aroha Quartet leave in December for their second tour to China where they will play in the spectacular new Xinghai Concert Hall in Guangzhou, and to Zhongshan. They will have with them works from six countries including China and New Zealand.




Homage to Britten from the Aroha Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat major Op. 18 No 6
Britten: String Quartet No.3, Op.94
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major Op. 44
When: Sunday, April 21 2013, 3:00pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Sunday, April 21, 2013, in "

Middle-C

"

For some reason I hadn’t really registered before this concert just how big a space at St.Andrew’s Church a small ensemble has to fill with sound, both behind the musicians and above them. It seemed to my ears when the Aroha Quartet began their Beethoven which opened the concert that everything was set back, as opposed to “being in one’s face”, and that the instrumental timbres were more than usually “terraced’.




Engaging performance, emotional programme
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat major Op. 18 No 6
Britten: String Quartet No.3, Op.94
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major Op. 44
When: Tuesday, April 16 2013, 7:30pm
Where: St Peter's Church, 229 Ruahine St, Palmerston North
Reviewed by: Stephen Fisher, Thursday, April 18, 2013, in "

Manawatu Standard

"

Featuring the talented ex-Palmerston North cellist Robert Ibell, the Aroha Quartet has made a name for itself presenting a range of works sometimes outside the mainstream concert programmes.

The quartet also takes opportunities to explore chamber music repertoire together with other musicians - and so it was that Tuesday night's concert featured the Aroha Quartet with Catherine McKay on the piano performing Schumann's much loved Piano Quintet.




Four ensembles help in fund-raising concert for St Andrew’s restoration completion phase
By: New Zealand String Quartet, Aroha String Quartet, Poneke Trio, Dominion String Quartet
In:
When: Thursday, October 11 2012, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Rosemary Collier, Thursday, October 11, 2012, in "

http://middle-c.org\Middle C

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Haydn: String Quartet in C major, Op.20 no.2 (New Zealand String Quartet); String Quartet in B flat major, Op.76 no.4 ‘Sunrise’ (Aroha String Quartet)
Dvořàk: Piano Trio no.4 in E minor, Op.90 ‘Dumky’ (Poneke Trio)
Alfred Hill: String Quartet no.11 in D minor (Dominion String Quartet)

New Zealand String Quartet (Helene Phol and Douglas Beilman, violins; Gillian Ansell, viola; Rolf Gjelsten, cello);
Poneke Trio (Anna van der Zee, violin; Paul Mitchell, cello; Richard Mapp, piano);
Aroha String Quartet (Haihong Liu and Blythe Press, violins; Zhongxian Jin, viola; Robert Ibell, cello);




Quintessential chamber music – the Aroha Quartet and Andrew Joyce
By: Aroha String Quartet with Andrew Joyce (cello)
In:
Haydn: String Quartet op 76 no 4 (Sunrise)
Tornyai: Streichquintett
Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D 956
When: Sunday, September 30 2012, 3:30pm
Where: St Marks Church, Woburn Rd, Lower Hutt
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Sunday, September 30, 2012, in "

Middle C

"

I like to think I’ve long gone past the days when I would regard work x, y or z as my “favorite” symphony, concerto, sonata or whatever. Now, whenever I’m asked about my “favorite” whatever-it-is, I go into a “gripped by bewilderment” state, born largely of the sheer range and scope of the repertoire. I admit I take refuge sometimes behind the rather glib reply that it’s either the last work I heard performed, or else the next one I’m GOING to hear.




Aroha String Quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet with Andrew Joyce (cello)
In:
Haydn: String Quartet op 76 no 4 (Sunrise)
Tornyai: Streichquintett
Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D 956
When: Thursday, September 6 2012, 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Knighton Rd (Uni Gate 2b), Hillcrest, Hamilton
Reviewed by: Andrew Buchanan-Smart, Friday, September 21, 2012, in "

Waikato Times

"

Hearing the Aroha Quartet play is always a pleasure; their rich hues blend into textures in a way which gives and very fulfilling performance.

The Haydn String Quartet Op 76 No 4 'Sunrise' opened the programme and the warm velour of the sunrise motif was immediately radiant with the con spirito element apparent.

Both the singing qualities and the dynamic ranges used added a piquancy which gave by comparison the sumptuous Adagio an extra inner depth.




Mulled Wine accompanies Aroha String Quartet concert at Paekakariki
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Haydn: String Quartet op 76 no 4 (Sunrise)
arr. Zhu Jian-Er & Shi Yong-Kang: The Whitehaired Girl 白毛女(施永康, 朱践耳改编)
Debussy: String Quartet
When: Sunday, June 24 2012, 2:30pm
Where: Memorial Hall, 98 The Parade, Paekakariki
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Sunday, June 24, 2012, in "

Middle-C

"

I heard the Aroha Quartet’s first concert in 2004 and was pretty impressed and have followed them with great interest ever since. The original quartet comprised four Chinese players, three playing in the NZSO and one, the viola Zhongxian Jin, teaching at Victoria University and free lancing. Hai-hong Liu remains leader; the other two were second violinist Beiyi Xue and cellist Jiaxin Cheng.




Supercharged quartet
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Dvorak: String Sextet in A, Op 48
Schulhoff: String Sextet (1920-24)
Brahms: String Sextet in G, op 36 (Agathe)
When: Sunday, August 28 2011, 3:00pm
Where: Illott Theatre, Wellington
Reviewed by: Garth Wilshere, Wednesday, August 31, 2011, in "

Capital Times

"

Supercharged quartet
Garth Wilshere

31/08/2011 9:22:00 a.m.

Wellington Chamber Music – SundayConcerts, String Sextet Spectacular, Ilott Theatre August 28. Reviewed by Garth Wilshere

This was a rare opportunity to hear three String Sextets courtesy of the Aroha Quartet (Haihong Liu & Beiyi Xue (violins), Zhongxian Jin (viola) & Robert Ibell (cello) joined by NZSO players Lyndon Johnson Taylor on viola and Rowan Prior on cello. The sound was rather like a supercharged String Quartet with extra lower range tonal weight.




Aroha Plus gives wonderful programmme of string sextets
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Dvorak: String Sextet in A, Op 48
Schulhoff: String Sextet (1920-24)
Brahms: String Sextet in G, op 36 (Agathe)
When: Sunday, August 28 2011, 3:00pm
Where: Illott Theatre, Wellington
Reviewed by: Rosemary Collier, Sunday, August 28, 2011, in "

Middle-C

"

Aroha Plus gives wonderful programmme of string sextets
By Rosemary Collier, August 28, 2011

Dvořák: String Sextet in A, Op.48
Erwin Schulhoff: String Sextet
Brahms: String Sextet no.2 in G, Op.36 (Agathe)

Aroha String Quartet: Haihong Liu (violin),
Beiyi Xue (violin), Zhongxian Jin (viola), Robert Ibell (cello), with Lyndon
Johnston Taylor (viola) and Rowan Prior (cello)

Ilott Theatre
Sunday 28 August 2011, 3pm




Moving melodies, memorable concert
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet No.1 in F maj, Op.18 No.1
Whitehead - Moon, Tides and Shoreline
Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich: String Quartet no 3, op 30
When: Sunday, October 3 2010, 2:00pm
Where: Tauranga Park Auditorium, 383 Pyes Pa Rd, Tauranga
Reviewed by: Val Sherriff, Tuesday, October 12, 2010, in "

Bay of Plenty Times

"

Two farewells and memories of an evening shoreline left the audience emotionally fulfilled at the Aroha String Quartet concert at Tauranga Park auditorium at the weekend.

Beethoven’s String Quartet in F major, Opus 18 No 1 was dedicated to friend Karl Amenda when Amenda returned to his homeland in 1799. Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No 3 in E flat minor Opus 30 was dedicated to Ferdinand Laub, a Moscow Conservatory colleague who died in 1875. The quartet was Tchaikovsky’s tribute to him.




Aroha Quartet at St.Andrew’s
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 7 in F# minor, Op. 108
Whitehead - Moon, Tides and Shoreline
Szymanowski - String Quartet No. 2 Op. 56
When: Saturday, March 13 2010, 6:30pm
Where: St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington
Reviewed by: Peter Mechen, Saturday, October 9, 2010, in "

Middle-C

"

Like New Yorkers have done with their numbered streets and avenues, one does get used to numberings in classical music, however bewildering and daunting it may seem for a beginner listener to register titles like Symphony No.97, String Quartet No.79, Piano Concerto No.27, or Piano Sonata No. 32. It’s probably one of the reasons that descriptive names, often nothing to do with the composer, have been so freely appended to pieces of music. These nicknames work invariably to the music’s advantage, however much the purist may scoff at the superficiality of the exercise.




Whangarei Concert, September 2010
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet No.1 in F maj, Op.18 No.1
Whitehead - Moon, Tides and Shoreline
Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich: String Quartet no 3, op 30
When: Friday, September 24 2010, 7:30pm
Where: The Old Library, Whangarei
Reviewed by: Paul Serotsky, Friday, September 24, 2010, in "

MusicWeb International

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Superb Aroha Quartet in the Sunday Series
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Beethoven: String Quartet No.1 in F maj, Op.18 No.1
Schnittke: String Quartet No.1
Britten: String Quartet No.3, Op.94
When: Sunday, August 1 2010, 3:00pm
Where: Illott Theatre, Wellington
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Sunday, August 1, 2010, in "

Middle C

"

Since its formation about six years ago the Aroha Quartet has gained a place close to the New Zealand String Quartet for its intuitive musicality and virtuosity. Their previous performances in this series and for Chamber Music New Zealand around the country have left no doubt about their quality and so it was a little surprising to find the 300-seat Ilott Theatre little more than half full: the weather; the Film Festival; too much other music?




Exquisite playing from brilliant Aroha
By: Aroha String Quartet
In:
Mozart: String Quintet in G minor K516
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major K581
When: Thursday, August 10 2006, 7:00pm
Where:
Reviewed by: Lindis Taylor, Thursday, August 10, 2006, in "

Dominion Post

"

Aroha Quartet with Vyvyan Yendoll (viola), Philip Green (clarinet). Mozart: String Quintet in G minor, Clarinet Quintet in A. Hunter Council Chamber, Monday

When I first heard this string quartet, in December 2004, I had prided myself on recognising something special, and subsequent hearings have confirmed it as one of the finest ensembles to emerge, largely from the NZSO.

This concert, on a wet night, will undoubtedly register, for me, as one of the loveliest of 2006 and it saddened me that so few had put it in their diaries.