Folk and classical music collide
At the World’s Edge Festival kicked off on 5 October and is delivering an extensive programme of chamber music. Running until 18 October, the festival spans across Queenstown, Bannockburn, Wānaka and Cromwell. Taking place against the spectacular backdrops of our region, the best chamber music in Aotearoa will be performed.
Chamber music is classical music played by a small group of players acoustically. The intimate shows put on will equate to stunning sounds and feelings of a personal connection with each of the individuals. This year’s theme will explore the collision of folk and classical music. It spans seven programmes, which includes free events and experiences throughout. A number of international artists will join some of New Zealand’s best to perform.
“The theme for this year is very much about how folk music has influenced classical music, through the composers we’re featuring this year,” Justine Cormack, one of the festival directors, says.
“Many of them have been strongly influenced by the folk music of their own country, or of other cultures. Music is a vehicle for expressing a culture and expressing people and place. It’s from that idea that we’ve woven the programme together.”
Anyone who’s unsure whether they’ll enjoy chamber music, or is unfamiliar with it, is encouraged to pop by one of the free events or see a show earlier in the festival, to give themselves time to see another performance later on. You can even head to the open rehearsals at Te Atamira on 9 October.
“It’s not formal, in that it’s a very welcoming environment. It’s really up close and personal in a way that you just get immersed in the sound. There’s no one way to respond to the music, too.”
The extensive programme includes works by Sergei Prokofiev, who was a Russian composer that produced dynamic music, Witold Lutosławski, who is regarded as one of the greatest Polish composers, and AWE 2024 emerging composer Estella Wallace, who is based in Wellington. Wallace is currently studying a Bachelor of Music majoring in Instrumental / Vocal Composition at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music. The emerging artist programme is an important part of the festival’s artistic mission. The artists that will be highlighted this year are Sarah Lee playing violin, Tal Amoore playing viola, Christine Jeon playing cello and Henry Meng playing piano.
“Our aim is to be putting the best international musicians next to the best New Zealand ones. When you have amazing musicians playing programmes that have been curated in such a way, you’re taken on a journey.”
The team have worked hard to pull unique sounds from all corners of the globe. Expect to hear a melting pot of cultural influences throughout the performances. Woven throughout you’ll also hear from Eve de Castro-Robinson, who is this year’s Composer in Residence and highly esteemed in New Zealand. Cormack advises everyone to come along and just let the music have its own impact.
“There are lots of different ways that people can engage with the festival. People who are completely new to it could turn up to any of the main programmes and they will love it, because you can just immediately engage and respond to the music. I think people will be really blown away. It’s really no coincidence that Ben and I set this festival up here – we really wanted to have it in this awe-inspiring area,” Cormack says.
At the World’s Edge Festival will have performances throughout Queenstown, Bannockburn, Wānaka and Cromwell from 5 – 18 October. There are a total of seven festival programmes in addition to free events and community performances. You can find more information about the artists and programme, and find the free events or purchase tickets at worldsedgefestival.com
