Shostakovich Unpacked | NZSQ + Orchestra Wellington
Wed, 09 Jul
|Prefab Hall
Introducing Shostakovich: Unpacked. A four-part concert series presented by New Zealand String Quartet and friends to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death.
Time & Location
09 Jul 2025, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Prefab Hall, 14 Jessie Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
About the event
Introducing Shostakovich: Unpacked. A four-part concert series presented by New Zealand String Quartet and friends to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death.
Across four night-time gatherings, the NZSQ will take to the stage with Orchestra Wellington, Antipodes Quartet, Ghost Trio, and pianist Jian Liu to explore the raw emotional power of one of the 20th century’s most troubled, yet defiant, musical voices.
Each concert features a specially curated selection of the chamber music of Shostakovich, paired with the unique voices of Aotearoa composers. From duets, to quartets, to a full chamber orchestra, we're getting up close to the celebrated chamber music and lasting legacy of Dimitri Shostakovich, 50 years after his death.
We invite you to join us on the journey of “Shostakovich: UNPACKED”, as together we explore and question what this powerful music meant in the time Shostakovich wrote it, but also how vitally important the composer’s artistic voice still is today.
Concert One: Wednesday 9 July, 6:30pm & 8:30pm, NZSQ x Orchestra Wellington
Artists onstage: NZSQ / Orchestra Wellington
Shostakovich: 3rd String Quartet, Chamber Symphony
Unpacked: The music of Schnittke and Tatiana Riabinkina
Spotlight: Experiencing Shostakovich’s 8th string quartet adapted as a chamber symphony for full chamber orchestra is regularly acknowledged as one of the most powerful and intense experiences of the classical music world. The interior wooden panels of Prefab Hall provide one of the finest acoustics in the city, and have the effect of making the audience feel like they’re experiencing the music from within a musical instrument.
Tickets: $15 - $55, or get a season pass to all four concerts for $180pp
Season pass discount will be automatically applied at checkout when you have one 'Season Pass' ticket per concert date in your cart.
To Follow:
Wednesday 6 August, 6:30pm, NZSQ x Antipodes Quartet
Wednesday 1 October, 6:30pm, NZSQ x Ghost Trio
Tuesday 25 November, 6:30pm, NZSQ x Jian Liu