The Aotearoa Music community are deeply mourning the recent loss of beloved composer Lyell Cresswell, who passed at age 77 after battling cancer.
Born in Wellington, Lyell was a full-time composer based in Edinburgh. His music has been performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the NZ String Quartet, Michael Houston and more. Lyell's music has been widely broadcast in New Zealand and around the world including international festivals. In 2011 Lyell won the SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha for his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra.
More recently, Lyell was named an Arts Laureate recipient in 2016 for his contribution to New Zealand music.
Read a tribute to Lyell from SOUNZ Co-Chair Eve de Castro-Robinson.
The Heavy Metal Ninjas perform Concerto for Piano and Orchestra composed by Lyell Cresswell, the winner of the 2011 SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha