Arts Centre Chamber Series: Tabula Rasa

Join staff and students from UC Music for a sumptuous afternoon concert featuring beloved works from well-known composers, and the premiere of a student work.

The programme will feature Arvo Pärt's hauntingly poignant work 'Tabula Rasa'. Pärt's minimal and evocative writing is a favourite with audiences the world over and will feature violin soloists Aya McLarty, a rising star of UC Music, and Professor Mark Menzies, acclaimed violinist and head of UC Music's performance programme.

Also on the programme is a virtuosic work from French composer Jean Françaix for Solo Bassoon and String Quintet. This will feature bassoonist Gabriel Baird, well known to local audiences for his work with chamber and musical theatre ensembles as well as being a regular player with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Gabriel also premieres a new suite written for UC string players, exploring a variety of sounds that connect the playful colours of the Françaix to the contemplative minimalism of the Pärt.

Soloists: Gabriel Baird, Aya McLarty, Mark Menzies

Conductors: Henry Nicholson, Gabriel Baird