<<  -- 4 --  Howard Smith    MUSIC'S CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Stroma gave its début performance on 18 August 2000 and on that pivotal occasion it performed Fetish Effigies commissioned from New Zealand composer James Gardner and scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano and percussion.

The Kiwi group has more than a little in common with Finland's 'Avanti ! Ensemble', formed in 1983 and 'Concorde', an Irish group active on both sides of the Atlantic since it began in 1976.

To date Stroma has called on a grand total of forty five musicians. Composers have heard quality performances of their own music; musicians are thrilled to play work of the present day; and audiences have listened to modern composition from both here and overseas.

Clearly contemporary music performance is alive and well and burgeoning in Wellington, New Zealand.