REforms: Shayne P. Carter and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

The heft and glory of the NZSO collides with the Shayne P. Carter songbook for the world premiere of this formidable work. Ten tracks ‘reformed’ in orchestral technicolour while maintaining the integrity of the originals.

Classic songs like Randolph’s Going Home and If I Were You spar with new numbers like Left To Defend. Guitar and orchestra do battle on the mighty Crystalator. Songs from Carter’s solo Offsider album expand from their original two finger piano primitivism into widescreen epicness. Other songs glower with the drama of orchestral restraint.

With arrangements by Tane Upjohn Beatson and conducted by Hamish McKeich, REforms is a singular and purposeful artistic statement; an immersive and all encompassing performance from a world-class orchestra and one of Aotearoa’s greatest singer/songwriters.

Opening the evening is a short set from Jonny Marks and Isaac Smith. Two of Aotearoa's finest timbral seekers find music in collaboration. Jonny Marks is a vocalist who uses the foundations of khummei (Mongolian throat singing) to build an approach that splits the voice to become many sounds, rich, complex, and expansive. Isaac Smith is a composer, synthesist, and a nuanced improviser. His dedication to a deep listening practice, robust theoretical  knowledge, and profound musical intuition, makes for rich and engaging spontaneous music.

Schedule
7pm Doors
7.30pm: Jonny Marks and Isaac Smith
8.30pm: REforms: Shayne P. Carter and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra