Pieces for Piano Quartet / Piano Quartet op 13

Alfred Hill was born in Melbourne in 1870 and died in Sydney in 1960. In 1872 his family moved to New Zealand where he learnt to play first the cornet and later the violin. he began composing when he was twelve and at fiftenn, seeing his considerable talent, his parents sent him to study at the leipzig Conservatorium where he was taught composition and violin and soon became a member of teh famous Gewandhaus Orchestra. As a result he met such iminent musicans as Grieg, Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Richard Strauss.

The New Zealand Piano Quartet, formerly known as the Massey Piano Quartet, was formed in the year 2000 from members of the faculty at the Massey University Conservatorium of Music in Wellington, New Zealand. The group brings together some of the finest musicians in the country, all of whom have had illustrious careers both in New Zealand and abroad.

Over the short period of time they have been performing together, the musicians have developed a tremendous rapport resulting in dynamic, exciting and sensitive performances. In addition to their world-class renditions of the well-loved, traditional repertoire, they take an interest in performing and promoting new works. Their committed performances of contemporary music have earned them praise, not only from composers but from audiences and critics alike. Several composers including William Southgate have expressed an interest in writing works specifically for the ensemble.

Over the course of the past couple of years, they have played at all of the major New Zealand venues. Their 2001 Chamber Music New Zealand tour of the North Island was highly successful, as was their performance in the 2002 New Zealand Festival of the Arts. They enjoy playing together and look forwards to future performances both in New Zealand and abroad.

All four members of the group are on faculty at the Conservatorium of Music at Massey University in Wellington. They are devoted to teaching and promoting young musicians. They hope, through their concerts, to attract new and promising students to the vibrant artisitc community that exists in Wellington. They welcome opportunities to meet with young people and conduct masterclasses. As individuals, they are familiar faces as adjudicators and panellists at competitions and examinations across the country.

"A momentous debut."
Lindis Taylor-Evening Post

"French Chamber Music at its peak. How tighly integrated this ensemble is. But look at the talent...this group is bound to be headhunted for the national touring circuit."
Ian Dando-Christchurch Star

"The delectable Faure quartet was a triumph of late Romantic expressiveness, the intensity finding answering fluid passion in the playing of every performer."
Gillian Bibby-The Dominion

"The Massey Piano Quartet exhibits fine ensemble playing and unanimity of dynamics and approach to the music."
Rosemary Collier-Evening Post

"Brahms G minor quartet enjoys greater spontaneity than we often associate with the composer. The full, rich sonorities of the score came across well. The colourful finale was a triumph, the performers rising to the richness and variety of Brahm's music."
David Sell-Christchurch Press