A diverse, intimate and engaging

presentation of mixed ensemble chamber

music for flute and string quartet.
“Folk Tales and Folk Tunes”
‘Folk Tales and Folk Tunes’ is a 
chamber music concert that explores 
the rich storytelling traditions and folk 
influences woven into classical and 
contemporary music. The programme 
brings together a diverse range of 
composers, each drawing on folk 
elements to create deeply expressive 
works. 
Opening with Elena Kats-Chernin’s 
Night and Now, influenced by the 
composer’s Russian childhood with 
her signature blend of lyrical beauty 
and rhythmic drive, it evokes a 
dreamlike world of shifting moods. 
This is followed by Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D major, an elegant work that reflects the 
composer’s fascination with folk-inspired melodies and dance forms. Together, these 
works set the stage for a journey through time and tradition, showcasing how composers 
have long been influenced by folk idioms. After the interval, the concert shifts to a more 
contemporary and dynamic landscape. A world premiere by Briar Prastiti brings a fresh, 
New Zealand perspective, blending classical textures with folk influences that reflect 
Aotearoa’s unique cultural voice. Béla Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4, a bold and rhythmically 
charged masterpiece, embodies his deep engagement with Eastern European folk music, 
using extended techniques to create an electrifying soundscape. Closing the program is 
Astor Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango, arranged for flute and string quartet, which traces the 
evolution of Argentine tango from its roots to a sophisticated concert form.