The NZSO in your lounge

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra section principal cellist Andrew Joyce performed at home as part of the NZSO's first Play Our Part concert. Picture by Latitude Creative

NZSO's at-home performances go international with special guests.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's second at-home performance featured American violinist Shana Douglas from her home in Britain in a livestream last night. The video is still available for viewing at .

In the video, Douglas duets with NZSO associate principal cellist Ken Ichinose, who plays from his Wellington home. The two perform music by famous 19th century Italian composer and violinist Niccolo Paganini.

The NZSO debuted its new Play Our Part online series of concerts on March 25 and featuring the orchestra's players performing works in their homes during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The second free Play Our Part concert premiered last night on nzso.co.nz/live and can be viewed by smart TV, mobile phone, tablet or computer.

Douglas, assistant concertmaster with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Ichinose have played together for more than 10 years.

“We're quite familiar chamber music partners,” says Ichinose.

“We thought we'd have a go at putting the Paganini together from opposite sides of the world. It helps that we've performed the duos many times in the past.

“It is a light, lively piece which hopefully entertains everyone at this time when we are all housebound.