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Z.E.N. Trio

Book online and join us for the Season

Catch three young artists on the brink of international stardom

Violinist Esther Yoo, cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, and pianist Zhang Zuo are the Z.E.N. Trio, a highly accomplished, dynamic ensemble soon to be a fixture on all the world’s biggest stages. See them at the beginning of their meteoric rise.

When we commission a piece of music, we want it to last forever.

We seek out musical voices that are worth hearing. So we’ve amplified four leading voices of their generation: Australian composer Matt Laing and the soloistic talents of Z.E.N. Trio.

Matt, a Musica Viva FutureMaker, writes music of great virtuosity and originality. He has been commissioned in celebration of a patron’s significant birthday, and will play to the strengths of Z.E.N. Trio – a remarkable ensemble who’ve already made their name through the BBC New Generation scheme, a Deutsche Grammophon recording and countless acclaimed concerts.

Put these voices together, and things will get exciting. Two programs are on offer depending in which city you live in, each program includes Arno Babajanian’s trio and the world premiere of Matt’s work. Elsewhere, you’ll either be resisting the urge to stamp your feet to a grand finale (Dvořák’s intoxicating ‘Dumky’), or imploding with intense passion of the heart (Brahms’s Romantic trio).

"The technical assurance, musical conviction and stylistic unanimity of an ensemble that’s been together for many years."
— Gramophone

Digital Subscription & Tickets

ESTHER YOO Violin
NAREK HAKHNAZARYAN Cello
ZHANG ZUO Piano

Program 1:
BRAHMS Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major (1889)
LAING Little Cataclysms (2022)*
BABAJANIAN Trio for Piano, Violin & Cello in F Sharp Minor (1952)

Program 1: Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne Tuesday, Sydney Saturday

Program 2:
BABAJANIAN Trio for Piano, Violin & Cello in F Sharp Minor (1952)
LAING Little Cataclysms (2022)*
DVOŘÁK Piano Trio No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 90 ‘Dumky’ (1891)

Program 2: Melbourne Saturday, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney Monday

 

*World premiere performances. Commissioned for Musica Viva Australia by Graham Lovelock and Steven Singer.

Sydney: The Monday 22 August concert is a Charles Berg Tribute Concert.

Hobart: Presented by Musica Viva Tasmania

Dubbo: Presented by Macquarie Conservatorium in association with Musica Viva Australia as part of its Regional Touring program. 

Matt Laing

Matt, a Musica Viva FutureMaker, writes music of great virtuosity and originality. He has been commissioned in celebration of a patron’s significant birthday, and will play to the strengths of Z.E.N. Trio – a remarkable ensemble who’ve already made their name through the BBC New Generation scheme, a Deutsche Grammophon recording and countless acclaimed concerts.

This tour is generously supported by our Ensemble Patrons:
Australian Music Foundation

Concert Champions
Kim Williams AM & Catherine Dovey (Sydney)
Charles Graham - in acknowledgment of his piano teacher, Sana Chia (Sydney)
Peter Griffin AM & Terry Swann (Melbourne)
Dr Sue Packer (Canberra)

Z.E.N. Trio will be livestreamed on Tuesday 23 August at 7pm AEST.

Individual tickets for the live streamed concert are no longer on sale.

You will receive an email confirmation when you purchase your tickets. Ticket holders will receive a link to watch the performance 24 hours prior to the concert.

If you’re watching on your phone or computer we recommend using headphones or connecting to external speakers. Please read our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

Download the program guide here, or view it below.

 

Esther Yoo from Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts

Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts

Composer Matt Laing and Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts

Narek Hakhnazaryan from Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts

Zhang Zuo from Z.E.N. Trio. Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts

Esther Yoo from Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts
Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts
Composer Matt Laing and Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts
Narek Hakhnazaryan from Z.E.N. Trio - Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts
Zhang Zuo from Z.E.N. Trio. Photography by Darren Leigh Roberts
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Event and Ticketing Details

Dates & Times

Dubbo   10 August 7:30pm
Hobart   12 August 7:30pm
Melbourne   13 August 7pm
Perth   15 August 7:30pm
Canberra   18 August 7pm
Sydney   20 August 2pm
Sydney   22 August 7pm
Melbourne   23 August 7pm
Adelaide   25 August 7:30pm
Newcastle   27 August 7:30pm

Location

Multiple Venues

Please check the venue in your city when booking tickets.

Event notes

Venue Information

Read more about the venues here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Doors open 1 hour before the performance starts.

Program 1 (Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne Tues, Sydney Matinee)
Performance runs for 1 hour and 34 minutes including a 20-minute interval.
Runtime: 94mins

Program 2 (Melbourne Sat, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney Evening)
Performance runs for 1 hour and 31 minutes including a 20-minute interval.
Runtime: 91mins

Pre-Concert Talks

Adelaide
6:45pm, Prince Alfred Room, with Dr James Koehne
Meet the Artists after the concert

Canberra         
6:15pm, Larry Sitsky Room, with Edward Neeman

Melbourne
6:15pm, Salzer Suite, Level 2, with Barry Jones AC in conversation with Paul Kildea
Meet the Artists after the concert (Saturday)

Newcastle
6:45pm, Mulubinba Room, with Katherine Kemp delivering a talk written by Ian Whitney
Meet the Artists after the concert

Perth
6:45pm, Corner Stage Riverside, Terrace Level, with Dr Cecilia Sun

Sydney
1:15pm, Function Room, with Ian Whitney (Saturday)
Meet the Artists after the concert (Saturday)

6:15pm, Function Room, with Ian Whitney (Monday)
CD Signing after the concert (Monday)