Z.E.N. Trio Program Guide | August 2022
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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR<br />
One of the most inspiring aspects of working with<br />
young musicians is watching them shift from learning<br />
their instruments and craft, to them realising that<br />
they have an implicit responsibility to repertory from<br />
the last 400 years or more. (Of course, Indigenous<br />
musical traditions in this country go back many<br />
more thousands of years.) Thus it was with the<br />
members of the Z.E.N. <strong>Trio</strong>, who met as soloists<br />
on the BBC’s prestigious New Generation scheme<br />
before recognising that their compatibility and love<br />
of the piano trio repertory made them such natural<br />
collaborators.<br />
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© Keith Saunders<br />
Solo repertory requires a different performance<br />
psychology, whether in concerto or in recital; the<br />
economy of the former allows so little time for<br />
meaningful collaboration, while the latter frequently<br />
places the spotlight on the soloist alone, despite<br />
the distinguished associate artist up there on stage.<br />
Chamber repertory demands an entirely equal<br />
partnership, a different way of rehearsing, and often<br />
different performance venues too. My favourite<br />
musicians are those who can do all three with equal<br />
assuredness, which is what makes these three artists<br />
– Zee Zee, Esther and Narek – so compelling in this<br />
great trio repertory.<br />
There is a fourth. Matthew Laing – a lovely violist<br />
in his own right – is fast emerging as one of the<br />
most thoughtful and vibrant compositional voices<br />
in Australia today. Haydn wrote piano trios, though<br />
it took Mozart to balance the voices and establish<br />
a template for the genre into the 19th century and<br />
beyond. Asked to add to this genre, Matthew<br />
has responded with a work of great complexity,<br />
colour and virtuosity, which receives its premiere<br />
on this tour thanks, in part, to the generosity of the<br />
commissioners, Graham Lovelock and Steven Singer.<br />
Paul Kildea<br />
Artistic Director<br />
Musica Viva Australia