A fantastic foursome of strings to sing in New Zealand

Amber Quartet performing in the small theater of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in May 2023. Amber Quartet, one of China's most celebrated string quartets, will make their debut tour in New Zealand, with activities including three concerts from April 23 to 27 in Picton, Blenheim and Christchurch. "There is a large fan base for classical music in New Zealand, and it's a great pleasure to embark on our first tour there, which will include not only well-known classical music but also Chinese music, as well as collaborations with local musicians," says Yang Yichen, the quartet's cellist, who is also a teacher at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Chinese Folk Song Suite for String Quartet, a new piece by composer Guo Wenjing, will also be performed, which Yang says will take the local audience on a journey to China through Chinese folk music. On Dec 19, 2023, Amber Quartet staged a concert at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, where they premiered Guo's Chinese Folk Song Suite for String Quartet.