Briar Prastiti Photo: Supplied
Briar Prastiti is about halfway through her stint as Composer-in-Residence at Lilburn House in Wellington and she’s discovered one thing already – it’s cold in winter!
Douglas Lilburn’s former house, tucked away in a valley just up from the Beehive, will be Briar’s base until February 2025.
She’s already completed her first orchestral work there, Ákri, which was premiered by Orchestra Wellington earlier this month.
There’s another one well on the way, too: White, Red and Black, which Briar will sing with Orchestra Wellington in October with her composing mentor (and fellow Greek Kiwi) John Psathas joining at the piano.
Briar moved into Lilburn House not long after returning to Wellington after four years in Greece, which could explain why she’s feeling the cold.
She spoke with Three to Seven host Bryan Crump about the importance of her Greek heritage, how she creates (“feeling rather than thinking”), and what she does to relax – play pool. Her nickname is The Shark...
Music
Prastiti, Briar; Tankian, Serge: Only Time - Briar Prastiti (Serj Tankian 2019)
Prastiti, Briar: Ákri - Orchestra Wellington/Marc Taddei (RNZ 2023)
