SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music

05/06/2026

Co-composed by Martin Lodge and Bjørn Arntsen, 'The Rest is Silence' was written in the final months of Martin's life. They composed the work together, with Martin singing humming pitch sets and Bjørn writing at the harpsichord. Hidden inside are some musical cryptograms or ciphers that spell out Martin's name, and those of his family, friends, and collaborators.

🎥 Watch the full film at https://youtu.be/z83rC1XvA4o
🎧 Purchase Aeon, an album of Rattle, at https://rattle.co.nz/catalogue/releases/aeon

Performed by the Jade String Quartet as part of Aeon - a concert dedicated to the memory of Martin Lodge. Audio recorded by Bjørn Arntsen. Film funded by NZ On Air.

04/06/2026

Written for Martin Lodge's wife and partner for over fifty years, Gail Pittaway, Dame Gillian Whitehead's three untitled pieces for solo violin are characterful and dramatic. The pieces moves from ethereal high melodies and floating gestures to intense tremolo sections and chorale-like harmonies, where violinist Lara Hall plays in harmony with herself through double stopping or through left-hand pizzicato during long notes.⁠
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Performed as part of Aeon - a concert dedicated to the memory of Martin Lodge. Purchase Aeon, an album of Rattle, at rattle.co.nz⁠
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Audio recorded by Bjørn Arntsen. Film funded by NZ On Air.

03/06/2026

This week our Projects and Collection Coordinator, Mana Waiariki has been at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, as a 2026 Fellow. She interviewed Salina Fisher - Composer about her work ‘Chasm’, which was commissioned for this year's competition and has been performed by all 16 of the competitors. Check out their kōrero on the inspiration and story behind Salina's work!

The 2026 MHIVC commissioned composer, Salina Fisher, sits down with Mana to discuss her commissioned work ‘Chasm’ and why the history of the MHIVC commission...

02/06/2026

Jess Dream Chambers has recently been announced as the music recipient for the The Arts Foundation's Springboard Award mentorship programme, and will be working with filmmaker Dame Gaylene Preston. While still relatively new to composing for screen, Jess has already found significant international success in her screen work. We chatted with Jess about her musical roots, her recent expansion into film and television composition, and her plans for the year-long Springboard mentorship.

Read Jess's story at: https://sounz.org.nz/articles/jess-dream-chambers

01/06/2026

Kenneth Young’s solo flute work, ‘Adieu’ is a tender tribute to his dear friend and colleague, Martin Lodge. Flutist Tessa Brinckman's long lyrical phrases, flute-and-voice chorale and moments of outburst depict the intense emotions of dealing with a farewell. Watch the full performance at https://youtu.be/hYVnE6Nu4Z4

Purchase Aeon, an album of RATTLE, at https://rattle.co.nz/catalogue/releases/aeon.

Audio recorded by Bjørn Arntsen. Film funded by NZ On Air.

31/05/2026

NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa is always a highlight of the year at SOUNZ, so we put together a bit of a wrap-up of some of the things we enjoyed the most! While we can't cover every New Zealand music event that we attended, heard about or performed in this month, we wanted to celebrate the mahi that goes into getting local music to our stages. Here's to more music from Aotearoa being programmed this month, next month, and year-round!

Check out the full story on our website: https://sounz.org.nz/articles/nzmm-wrap

29/05/2026

Fantastic to see Michael Norris take home Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist for his album 'Rerenga' at this year's Aotearoa Music Awards. This incredible album features some of Aotearoa's biggest and best performers and is essential listening. Congratulations to Michael and the other nominees! https://michael-norris.bandcamp.com/album/rerenga

29/05/2026

Congratulations to Louisa Williamson and to all the nominees for Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau - so great to see! Treat yourself and give Louisa's music a listen today: https://louisawilliamson.bandcamp.com/

28/05/2026

The Jade String Quartet and Shamus Baker perform Michael F Williams Composer's 'Ascension', written as a reflection on a long friendship, and the chance to say goodbye to the composer’s dear friend and colleague, Martin Lodge. Moving from the earthly to the heavenly over the course of the work, Michael's piece explores the Buddhist concept of Dukkha, which consists of three parts: suffering or pain, impermanence, and conditional states. As the work goes on, the quartet ascends into a prayer-like chorale theme. Follow the journey by listening to the full performance on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Hb9xqnBIswg

Purchase Aeon, an album of RATTLE, at https://rattle.co.nz/catalogue/releases/aeon.

Audio recorded by Bjørn Arntsen. Film funded by NZ On Air.

26/05/2026

Eve de Castro-Robinson Composer's moving tribute to her friend ‘Marty’ - Martin Lodge - depicts 'the night-sea sobbing' through the declamatory and expressive moods of Ashley Brown's cello. The sounds of the sea and the mourning cries of loss come through in a work inspired by Hone Tuwhare’s poem, ‘Nocturne’:

The moon has torn
from the pulsing arm of the sea
a ta**ry bracelet...and I
alone am left
with the abandoned earth
and the night-sea sobbing

Watch the full film here: https://youtu.be/8TXp-zNlmDc

Performed as part of Aeon - a concert dedicated to the memory of Martin Lodge. Purchase Aeon, an album of Rattle, at https://rattle.co.nz/catalogue/releases/aeon.

Audio recorded by Bjørn Arntsen. Film funded by NZ On Air.