This Wellington Chamber Music concert by New Zealand trio, Les Voisins, is a celebration of French culture through music.
‘Les Voisins’ means ‘the neighbours’, and the members of this trio describe themselves as a ‘coming together of worlds, neighbours and friends’. Violinist Justine Cormack and cellist James Bush actually grew up next door to eachother in Christchurch and have remained close friends right throughout their diverse careers. Therbo player and guitarist Simon Martyn-Ellis is from Australia and, as well as being a member of Les Voisins, has also collaborated with James Bush in Australia, performing Baroque music.
Les Voisins: Simon Martyn-Ellis (theorbo, guitars), Justine Cormack (violin), James Bush (cello) Photo: Supplied
There's a good chunk of Baroque music in this concert - with music by Robert de Visée, Jean Marie Leclair and Marin Marais. But that’s not all Les Voisins will perform in this celebration of French culture through music. Well also hear them play a Ravel duo that blends the impressionistic colours of the 1920s with a Kodaly-influenced folk sound; there’s a jazzy tribute to Django Reinhardt by Stephane Grapelli who he co-founded the Hot Club de France quintet with in the 1930s. There’s even a world premiere commissioned especially by Les Voisins. That's by New Zealand composer Alex Taylor, who puts his fresh and quirky spin on the French Baroque.
Recorded by RNZ Concert
Producer/Engineer: Darryl Stack
Recorded at St. Andrew's on The Terrace, Wellington on 7 May 2023
