New Zealand–Greek composer Ioannis (John) Psathas has a history of large-scale, collaborative projects — such as writing for the ceremonies of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, and collaborating with iconic artists such as Salman Rushdie, Michael Brecker, Joshua Redman, Serj Tankian, Oum, and many others.
Following three decades of creating works for traditional ensembles (particularly in the world of percussion) the nature of John’s work has now shifted into a space of urgent social commentary, combining a range of live performance formats and technologies. Having collaborated in electronica, pop, classical, jazz, and multi-ethnic projects, he is now weaving these strands into new work that integrates virtuosic live performance with video, text, and cinematic soundscapes.
Appointing John Psathas as our Patron reflects Orchestra Wellington’s core belief that everything begins with the composer and their work, but it’s ultimately about forging deeper connections with our audience. John’s extraordinary ability to engage listeners — both through his own music and his passionate advocacy for New Zealand composers — makes him a perfect fit for this role. We are humbled by our association with him.