Helene Pohl (violin I), Monique Lapins (violin II), Gillian Ansell (viola), Rolf Gjelsten (cello)

Celebrating its 35th season in 2022, the New Zealand String Quartet has an established international reputation for its insightful interpretations, compelling communication, and dynamic performing style. The Quartet is known for its imaginative programming and for its powerful connection with audiences of all kinds.

​Over the decades the Quartet has cultivated a rich repertoire, including a wide variety of New Zealand music, composers’ cycles from Beethoven to Bartok, Mozart to Berg, in addition to theatrical presentations encompassing spoken word and dance, from Haydn’s Seven Last Words to Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night. The Quartet have proudly championed New Zealand music since their inception, commissioning over 150 New Zealand works, alongside collaborations with taonga pūoro players Rob Thorne, Horomona Horo, and the late Richard Nunns. 
Devoted teachers and mentors, all members of the Quartet teach at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī where the NZSQ has been Quartet-in-Residence since 1991, as well as running the Adam Chamber Music School in Nelson and the NZSM Queen’s Birthday Chamber Music Weekend in Wellington for up-and-coming chamber musicians, and mentor students from Sistema programmes across the country.

The three longest serving members of the Quartet have each been awarded the MNZM honour for services to music in New Zealand. Violinist Helene Pohl and violist Gillian Ansell are also co-artistic directors of the biennial Chamber Music Festival in Nelson, as well as serving as the guest curators of the chamber music programme for the 2022 Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. 

Website of New Zealand String Quartet

NZSQ in EUROPE 2024

The New Zealand String Quartet  is visiting europe in harvest 2024. They are invited in Budapest – Chamber-music Festival, Prague – “Čhech Chamber Music Society” and some places in Germany.

They will be available from November 3.rd until Nov. 6.th
and Nov. 22.nd until December 2.nd

Tourdates 2024: 
03. November 24, Tuttlingen (D)
08.-20. November 24, Hungary
20. November, Sonthofen (D)
21. November, Kaufbeuren (D) with Michael Endres, piano
28. November, Geisslingen (D)
04. December, Prague (CZ) 

Program NZSQ 2024

Program No. 1
Gareth Farr (*1968) “Te Koanga” (“Spring”- featuring NZ birdsong)
Leoš Janáček (1854-1928) String Quartet inspirerd by “Kreutzer-Sonata” by L. N. Tolstoj
Lyell Cresswell (1944-2022) 3 “Capricci” for String Quartet ca.
Dimitri Schostakowitsch (1906-1975) String Quartet Nr. 2, A-major, op. 69 (1944)

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Program No. 2
Gareth Farr (*1968) “Te Koanga” (“Spring”- featuring NZ birdsong)
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Streichquartett e-flat major, op. 71, Nr. 3, Hob. III:71 (1793)
Lyell Cresswell (1944-2022) “ 3 Capricci” for String Quartet
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) String Quartet g minor, op. 10

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Program No 3
Gillian Whitehead (*1941)Poroporoaki2015, Für Streichquartett
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94 (1975)
Gareth Farr (*1968) “Te Koanga” (“Spring”- featuring NZ birdsong)
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) Streichquartett e-flat major, op. 71, Nr. 3, Hob. III:71 (1793)

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Piano Quintett 2024
With Michael Endres (D/NZ) the NZSQ will play Piano Quintetts by Dvořák or Amy Beach.

Links & Downloads: