Latest news with #PeerGynt
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NZSO Classical Hits Tour From Kerikeri To Blenheim Begins 31 May
Journey from the hall of the mountain king to the Viennese countryside with a selection of classical music's greatest hits performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Manukau and Kerikeri from 31 May. Masterworks: Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn is part of the NZSO's annual Setting Up Camp tour, which includes daytime community performances and events in each centre where the orchestra plays. Led by NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd and featuring NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen as soloist for Mozart's exquisite Fifth Violin Concerto, Masterworks is an unmissable musical experience. The tour programme has been tailored for each centre. Along with Mozart's Violin Concerto, Wellington and Blenheim feature Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, including the instantly recognisable In the Hall of the Mountain King, Beethoven's beloved Sixth Symphony Pastoral and the world premiere of Kiwi composer Briar Prastiti's The Garden. The Manukau and Kerikeri concerts feature The Garden, Peer Gynt and Pastoral, along with Haydn's magnificent Symphony No. 100 Military. Nelson audiences will enjoy Military, Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto and, as a special treat, Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio Overture. 'New Zealand is unrivalled in producing so much wonderful new music of all genres. Our programme includes The Garden by Briar Prastiti, a SOUNZ/Tarling Trust commission which establishes, alongside Grieg's Peer Gynt, an underlying presence of the natural world in our programme,' says Maestro Judd. 'Beethoven's love of nature inspired his Sixth Symphony, not merely at times as a vivid picture but more so representing the personal feelings we experience through the spirit of nature. 'Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, written at the age of 19, features as soloist the superb Concertmaster of the NZSO, Vesa-Matti Leppänen. Listen out for the third movement of this concerto with its delights from Türkiye.' Beyond the concerts, Setting Up Camp daytime performances and events include, in Nelson (6 June) and Manukau (10 June), NZSO Relaxed Concerts which cater for neurodivergent people of all ages who may feel uncomfortable in a traditional concert environment. Schools' Concerts take place in Wellington (29 May), Manukau (11 June), Whangārei (12 June) and Kerikeri (13 June). Side-by-Side concerts, where local musicians perform alongside NZSO players, will be held in Nelson (7 June) and Whangārei (12 June). Tickets to Masterworks range from $17 to $48. For more information go to – conductor Emilia Hoving, piano Javier Perianes. Wellington (17 July), Christchurch (19 July).
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NZSO Classical Hits Tour From Kerikeri To Blenheim Begins 31 May
Journey from the hall of the mountain king to the Viennese countryside with a selection of classical music's greatest hits performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Manukau and Kerikeri from 31 May. Masterworks: Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn is part of the NZSO's annual Setting Up Camp tour, which includes daytime community performances and events in each centre where the orchestra plays. Led by NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd and featuring NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen as soloist for Mozart's exquisite Fifth Violin Concerto, Masterworks is an unmissable musical experience. The tour programme has been tailored for each centre. Along with Mozart's Violin Concerto, Wellington and Blenheim feature Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, including the instantly recognisable In the Hall of the Mountain King, Beethoven's beloved Sixth Symphony Pastoral and the world premiere of Kiwi composer Briar Prastiti's The Garden. The Manukau and Kerikeri concerts feature The Garden, Peer Gynt and Pastoral, along with Haydn's magnificent Symphony No. 100 Military. Nelson audiences will enjoy Military, Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto and, as a special treat, Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio Overture. 'New Zealand is unrivalled in producing so much wonderful new music of all genres. Our programme includes The Garden by Briar Prastiti, a SOUNZ/Tarling Trust commission which establishes, alongside Grieg's Peer Gynt, an underlying presence of the natural world in our programme,' says Maestro Judd. 'Beethoven's love of nature inspired his Sixth Symphony, not merely at times as a vivid picture but more so representing the personal feelings we experience through the spirit of nature. 'Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, written at the age of 19, features as soloist the superb Concertmaster of the NZSO, Vesa-Matti Leppänen. Listen out for the third movement of this concerto with its delights from Türkiye.' Beyond the concerts, Setting Up Camp daytime performances and events include, in Nelson (6 June) and Manukau (10 June), NZSO Relaxed Concerts which cater for neurodivergent people of all ages who may feel uncomfortable in a traditional concert environment. Schools' Concerts take place in Wellington (29 May), Manukau (11 June), Whangārei (12 June) and Kerikeri (13 June). Side-by-Side concerts, where local musicians perform alongside NZSO players, will be held in Nelson (7 June) and Whangārei (12 June). Tickets to Masterworks range from $17 to $48. For more information go to COMING UP NYO Adventure: Rachmaninov & Strauss – conductor Adam Johnson, soprano Madison Horman. Wellington (5 July), Auckland (6 July). – conductor Emilia Hoving, piano Javier Perianes. Wellington (17 July), Christchurch (19 July).
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NZSO To Tour Masterworks By Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn And More
Press Release – NZ Symphony Orchestra A stunning selection of the best-known and loved orchestral music ever written will be performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Manukau and Kerikeri from 31 May. Masterworks: Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn is part of the NZSO's annual Setting Up Camp tour, which includes daytime community performances and events in each centre where the orchestra plays. Led by NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd and featuring NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen as soloist for Mozart's exquisite Fifth Violin Concerto, Masterworks is an unmissable musical experience. The tour programme has been tailored for each centre. Along with Mozart's Violin Concerto, Wellington and Blenheim feature Suite No. 1 from Grieg's instantly recognisable Peer Gynt, Beethoven's beloved Sixth Symphony Pastoral and the world premiere of Kiwi composer Briar Prastiti's The Garden. The Manukau and Kerikeri concerts feature The Garden, Peer Gynt and Pastoral, along with Haydn's magnificent Symphony No. 100 Military. Nelson audiences will enjoy Military, Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto and, as a special treat, Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio Overture. 'New Zealand is unrivalled in producing so much wonderful new music of all genres. Our programme includes The Garden by Briar Prastiti, a SOUNZ/Tarling Trust commission which establishes, alongside Grieg's Peer Gynt, an underlying presence of the natural world in our programme,' says Maestro Judd. 'Beethoven's love of nature inspired his Sixth Symphony, not merely at times as a vivid picture but more so representing the personal feelings we experience through the spirit of nature. 'Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, written at the age of 19, features as soloist the superb Concertmaster of the NZSO, Vesa-Matti Leppänen. Listen out for the third movement of this concerto with its delights from Türkiye.' Beyond the concerts, Setting Up Camp daytime performances and events include, in Nelson (6 June) and Manukau (10 June), NZSO Relaxed Concerts which cater for neurodivergent people of all ages who may feel uncomfortable in a traditional concert environment. Schools' Concerts take place in Wellington (29 May), Manukau (11 June), Whangarei (12 June) and Kerikeri (13 June). Side-by-Side concerts, where local musicians perform alongside NZSO players, will be held in Nelson (7 June) and Whangarei (12 June). Tickets to Masterworks range from $17 to $48. For more information go to
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
NZSO To Tour Masterworks By Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn And More
A stunning selection of the best-known and loved orchestral music ever written will be performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Manukau and Kerikeri from 31 May. Masterworks: Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn is part of the NZSO's annual Setting Up Camp tour, which includes daytime community performances and events in each centre where the orchestra plays. Led by NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd and featuring NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen as soloist for Mozart's exquisite Fifth Violin Concerto, Masterworks is an unmissable musical experience. The tour programme has been tailored for each centre. Along with Mozart's Violin Concerto, Wellington and Blenheim feature Suite No. 1 from Grieg's instantly recognisable Peer Gynt, Beethoven's beloved Sixth Symphony Pastoral and the world premiere of Kiwi composer Briar Prastiti's The Garden. The Manukau and Kerikeri concerts feature The Garden, Peer Gynt and Pastoral, along with Haydn's magnificent Symphony No. 100 Military. Nelson audiences will enjoy Military, Mozart's Fifth Violin Concerto and, as a special treat, Mozart's The Abduction from the Seraglio Overture. 'New Zealand is unrivalled in producing so much wonderful new music of all genres. Our programme includes The Garden by Briar Prastiti, a SOUNZ/Tarling Trust commission which establishes, alongside Grieg's Peer Gynt, an underlying presence of the natural world in our programme,' says Maestro Judd. 'Beethoven's love of nature inspired his Sixth Symphony, not merely at times as a vivid picture but more so representing the personal feelings we experience through the spirit of nature. 'Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5, written at the age of 19, features as soloist the superb Concertmaster of the NZSO, Vesa-Matti Leppänen. Listen out for the third movement of this concerto with its delights from Türkiye.' Beyond the concerts, Setting Up Camp daytime performances and events include, in Nelson (6 June) and Manukau (10 June), NZSO Relaxed Concerts which cater for neurodivergent people of all ages who may feel uncomfortable in a traditional concert environment. Schools' Concerts take place in Wellington (29 May), Manukau (11 June), Whangarei (12 June) and Kerikeri (13 June). Side-by-Side concerts, where local musicians perform alongside NZSO players, will be held in Nelson (7 June) and Whangarei (12 June). Tickets to Masterworks range from $17 to $48. For more information go to NYO Adventure: Rachmaninov & Strauss – conductor Adam Johnson, soprano Madison Horman. Wellington (5 July), Auckland (6 July).
Calgary Herald
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Review: Yo-Yo Ma heads delightful CPO evening of Beethoven, Greig and Elgar
Article content It has been an especially good season for special, one-night events for the CPO. Recently, a concert featured Canadian violinist James Ehnes, who played the Brahms violin concerto impressively and to a full house, replete with many encores. Last Friday night, it was the cello's turn, with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma on hand to perform Elgar's wistful, ruminative cello concerto, a performance that also drew a sold-out audience, with a standing ovation for both halves of the concert and the air of a gala throughout. Article content Article content While the appearance of Yo-Yo Ma was the principal draw, the entire concert was greatly enjoyed, with audience response to the performance of Grieg's Peer Gynt music equal to that of Ma. Completing the program was a fine Fantasy on a Theme of Beethoven (the main theme from the first movement of Beethoven's first symphony) by Canadian composer Larysa Kuzmenko. This Fantasy was originally commissioned by the orchestra as a companion piece for a performance of the complete Beethoven symphonies several seasons ago. It too was very warmly received. Article content Article content All works featured a strong lyrical element, the entire program containing melodies the audience could savour and taste. While there was also drama and excitement, it was, in the end, the power of song, of pure melody, that carried the evening and made it so enjoyable. Article content The Elgar concerto is far from a barn-storming piece, and it was its inward, poetic elements that drew a sensitive, highly refined performance from Ma. Even with the passage of years, Ma retains his special capacity to play scrupulously in tune and with an exquisite tone. In the powerful opening and final movement, there was strength as well as playfulness in the frisky parts. Article content Article content Ma knows this concerto well, having recorded it many years ago, and it is his current touring concerto (Victoria and Vancouver are upcoming). This performance had all the command of a seasoned performer who knows what he is about in every bar and in the characterization of each movement. It was a performance of consummate mastery by a consummate master. Article content Ma is always generous as it concerns fellow performers, joining the orchestra in the performance of the Grieg Peer Gynt music as a section cellist. This created the context for a truly magical moment at the end of the program. Article content Conductor Rune Bergmann came to the side of the stage carrying what looked like a bukkehorn, a Norwegian folk instrument originally made from a sheep's horn and played with a trumpet-type mouthpiece. After he played a haunting, short, folk-like song in the manner of Grieg, Ma then played the tune on his cello, and an arrangement for the entire orchestra followed this. Not only was it a special way to end a program that dealt largely with interior emotions, it was also a quick lesson on how folk music moves from the rural to the urban, from folk sounds to that of the symphonic.
