International musicians gather to celebrate NZ composer’s work

Walking through Waitārere Forest, headphones on, John Psathas is imagining an entire concert. Listening to different playlists of his compositions on each walk over a few months, he came upon the perfect programme for his newly formed John Psathas Group. Not an easy feat for someone who has been composing for more than 40 years, with his music winning awards and being performed around the world. “It’s a concert of the best of all stuff I’ve ever written. That was a very exciting process in itself.” The John Psathas Group is a group that has been a long time coming for some. Psathas has been encouraged by musicians he works with around the world to create the group for many years now. suppliedComposer John Psathas. Photo: Supplied Internationally many composers have groups dedicated to playing their music. “I would have never thought to do this myself. I think it has something to do with being Kiwi.” He finally came around to the idea and approached Chamber Music New Zealand about a concert series. “They have been extraordinarily supportive of the whole venture. For me, it’s incredible to think that this is actually happening. You know, I feel so lucky that it’s happening. “It is a rare opportunity for any composer to have a whole concert dedicated to your music.” While often described as a classical composer, Psathas says that is only one part of what he has done. He has worked with musicians from many musical traditions such as India, Turkey, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Europe, North Africa and in Africa. “I have this very broad language and I would say it’s multi-ethnic and it’s definitely multi-genre. There are some classical-ish sounds in this concept, but mostly I would call it world music. It’s got jazz in there, electronica, it’s got all kinds of things. It’s what I think of as really 21st century music, which is it takes from or it combines elements from many musical sources.” While he likes to dream big, for his first iteration of the group he knew he needed to narrow it down. “It’s the balance between feasibility and dreaming too big. I’ve always had that problem of dreaming too big. It’s also a gift, because it makes you try for things that maybe other people wouldn’t.” He selected the members of the group first — long-time collaborators pianists Dawn Hardwick (London) and Stephen Gosling (New York) and percussionists Katarzyna Mycka (Essen) and Fabian Ziegler (Zurich). “With percussion and piano, what you get is a huge amount of energy because they are very physical instruments. They give you the best of both worlds, of both rhythm and melody. And so it matches the music, which is also very dynamic and very energetic. And that’s how I wanted to start.” He was excited to work with the players, who he describes as “virtuosic” and “as good as it gets in terms of performance around the world”, and also play alongside them on electronic keyboards. “They’re phenomenal. It’s very humbling, and I’m very grateful that they have accepted sharing the stage with me as well, because that’s quite a thing.” suppliedJohn Psathas Group percussionist Fabian Ziegler (Zurich). Photo: Supplied For Ziegler, who considers Psathas one of the most famous composers in the percussion world, it is an opportunity he could not pass up. He came across Psathas’ work about a decade ago, commissioning work from him — including the piece Atlanta which the group performs. “What I personally just really love about his music is, firstly, it’s a lot about the rhythm, the harmonics he’s using, but also that I would say 99% of his music, there is a story behind it. And this is something really important.” What Psathas is hoping to achieve with the group is “exciting”, Ziegler says. “The great thing is that I know that every one of us has quite a story with John’s music.” For Psathas, ONZM, Arts Foundation Laureate and winner of three Classical CD of the Year “Tuis”, stepping on stage again is also pushing him outside his comfort zone. “I’m always pushing myself to grow and to learn, to be in situations that require me to develop in order to deliver. So I joke with them that I’m going to bring on two very large shrubs and put myself behind them on stage.” Megan BlackwellComposer John Psathas on keyboard and percussionist Katarzyna Mycka. Photo: Megan Blackwell He then tailored the music he had selected to the musicians. Not only has Psathas brought international musicians to New Zealand for this series, he has also brought Athens-based sound engineer George Kariotis out, whom he worked with on No Man’s Land 10 years ago. “We’re in very safe hands with George, and you need to feel that when you’re on stage.” It is important as the concerts also feature an audio-visual component. “We have these fantastic films that have been made for, I think, maybe nine of the pieces. And the video content is super exciting and interesting and different. And it just gives a whole other experience layer for the audience.” He has been introducing audio-visuals to his work for some time as he believes in triggering the audiences’ hearts, minds and bodies to create the most “powerful experience’’. For this concert, four artists have created videos. “The videos trigger the mind; it’s concepts, ideas and visuals so it keeps your mind really engaged.” Some pieces also have text projected on a screen and are specifically about social, political and environmental issues. “I’ve collaborated with writers, in some cases very well-known and respected writers from abroad, to create a kind of text line through the whole thing. So you’re actually reading while this music is happening, and those experiences are fantastic, the brain is being activated.” Psathas sees the concerts as a way to push the boundaries of what is considered chamber music. “We are delivering something that’s actually on a big scale and it’s not related really in any way to the idea of a string quartet playing.’’ To be able to pull this together is a tribute to having such strong relationships with musicians, he says. It is something he impresses on all young composers. “The most valuable thing you’ll ever do is develop very positive, long-term relationships with other musicians, because those will be the things that get you through a sustainable life as a musician. And this is a great example of that.” Megan BlackwellJohn Psathas Group pianist Dawn Hardwick. Photo: Megan Blackwell He hopes in the future to take the group overseas and foresees its membership changing to meet the music selected. “So the John Psathas Group could be a group of percussionists for some concerts, or it could be a string quartet, because I’ve written enough string quartets to do a concert of string quartets. So it’s a very flexible idea.” The New Zealand tour — eight concerts around the country — is essentially a “launching pad into the world”. And also a chance for the musicians to experience a Kiwi road trip down the country. “We actually already have shows planned in Switzerland and Germany next year, and Slovenia as well.” It is often how his career has gone over the years. While he has been tempted to move overseas, he has remained in New Zealand as he has had great support from funders and organisations such as CMNZ and Radio NZ. But it has also given him something that not many people understand: “time”. Instead of battling big city life, he has time to create, to write and then to travel and have “the best experiences”. “It is the story of my life. I’m very lucky.” To See: The John Psathas Group, August 15, 7.30pm, Glenroy Auditorium