Concert series
- Subscription Series One "Missa Solemnis"
- Subscription Series Two "Veni veni Emmanuel"
- Subscription Series Three "The Toy Box"
- Subscription Series Four "Houstoun Plays Rachmaninov"
Subscription Series One
Missa Solemnis
Wellington Town Hall
Sunday 29 April 4.00pm
Pre concert talk 3.00pm
John Psathas Luminous
Beethoven Missa Solemnis, Op. 123
Marc Taddei Conductor
Emma Fraser Soprano
Bianca Andrew Mezzo Soprano
Cameron Barclay Tenor
Kieran Raynor Baritone
The Orpheus Choir
“From the heart – may it return to the heart”, wrote Beethoven above the Credo of his 1823 Missa Solemnis. It took him nearly four years and a mountain of sketchbooks to complete his masterpiece. With music vividly evocative of the text, the work’s direct emotional appeal is set in a complex and subtle structure. Luminous was commissioned as part of a set of “Fanfares for the New Millennium”. Psathas’ elegiac work considers human migrations through history. It was dedicated to a Chinese friend who was overwhelmed by the challenges of adapting to New Zealand.
“What a momentous way to open our season! One of Beethoven’s supreme masterpieces paired with a contemporary classic by one of New Zealand’s greatest composers. I guarantee a memorable and moving evening!” – Marc Taddei, Music Director
Ticket information
To become a subscriber phone 04 801 3882 or Contact Us
- Tickets from Ticketek $53 to $58
Tel 0800 842 538 Service fee will apply - Special Child/Student rates are available
- Discounted Tickets available now on subscription
Subscription Series Two
Veni, veni, Emmanuel
Claire Edwardes
Wellington Town Hall
Saturday 23 June 7.30pm
Pre concert talk 6.30pm
Debussy Marche écossaise sur un thème populaire
MacMillan Veni, veni, Emmanuel
Mendelssohn Symphony No 3 in A minor, Op 56, “The Scottish”
Marc Taddei Conductor
Claire Edwardes Percussion
Debussy’s Écossaise gives a sophisticated treatment to the robust rhythms of Scottish folk melodies, with their hardy sounds of the pipes and drums.
VWO is proud to present charismatic young Australian percussionist Claire Edwardes as soloist in James MacMillan’s popular percussion concerto. Orchestra and soloist converse in fast, physical music as Macmillan weaves material from 15th century French Advent plainchant into a musical exploration of the Advent message.
During his European tour at the age of 20, Mendelssohn was inspired by the moody historic landscape of Holyrood Castle. Ten years later his atmospheric first sketches ripened into this lively, dramatic “Scottish” symphony.
“We play around with a Scottish theme here: two works with a Scottish inspiration and one of the most popular contemporary pieces by Scottish composer, James MacMillan. To play this post-modern masterpiece we are delighted to present the New Zealand debut of Claire Edwardes – an astonishing artist who is one of the most important percussionists working today.” – Marc Taddei, Music Director
Ticket information
To become a subscriber phone 04 801 3882 or Contact Us
- Tickets from Ticketek $53 to $58
Tel 0800 842 538 Service fee will apply - Special Child/Student rates are available
- Discounted Tickets available now on subscription
Subscription Series Three
The Toy Box
NZTrio
Masterton
Masterton Town Hall
Friday 31 August 7.30pm
Pre concert talk 6.30pm
Wellington
Wellington Town Hall
Saturday 1 September 7.30pm
Pre concert talk 6.30pm
Haydn Symphony No 60 in C major, Il Distratto
Chris Gendall Triple Concerto (world premiere)
Debussy The Toy Box (La boite a joujoux)
Marc Taddei Conductor
NZTrio
Jackie Clarke Actor
In 1774 Haydn took incidental music he had composed for a French play, Le Distrait, and created this six-movement symphony. If Haydn was the father of the classical symphony, here he subverts the genre with wild imagination and humour.
Chris Gendall is the VWO’s 2011 Composer in Residence. His commission features the NZTrio as soloists in a triple concerto of great audience appeal and dramatic atmospheric brass effects
Written as a children’s ballet, The Toy Box takes the simple tale of a dancing doll, a pulcinello and a toy soldier and turns it into a rich treasure box of musical invention. Narrated by Jackie Clark, this wonderful score will appeal to music lovers of all ages.
“This concert is all about theatre, and I’m excited to have gifted NZ actor Jackie Clarke present ”Toy Box”. Debussy’s music for it is such a total delight. Haydn’s witty 60th symphony was also written with the stage in mind and I love it! Finally, I’m thrilled to present Chris Gendall’s Triple Concerto. It’s certainly theatrical, and spreads the mighty VWO brass around the hall. It is a pleasure to welcome back the NZTRIO – a chamber ensemble at the top of their game.” – Marc Taddei, Music Director
Ticket information
To become a subscriber phone 04 801 3882 or Contact Us
- Tickets from Ticketek $53 to $58
Tel 0800 842 538 Service fee will apply - Special Child/Student rates are available
- Discounted Tickets available now on subscription
Subscription Series Four
Houstoun plays Rachmaninov
Michael Houstoun
Wellington Town Hall
Saturday 17 November 7.30pm
Pre concert talk 6.30pm
Haydn Symphony No 44 "Trauer"
Rachmaninov Piano concerto No 2
Schmidt Symphony No 4
Marc Taddei Conductor
Michael Houstoun Piano
Haydn’s “mourning” symphony is among his best known. Written in 1772 during his Sturm und Drang (“storm and stress”) period, its dramatic contrasts and high emotion make it one of his most operatic works. An old favourite that never fails to stir the emotions, Rachmaninov’s great Piano Concerto finds a powerful champion in Michael Houstoun. Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Schmidt called his Fourth Symphony “a requiem for my daughter”. It’s a monumental yet tightly-woven work, full of lush harmonies and bittersweet melodies. Schmidt’s links with his teacher Bruckner and his colleague Mahler are evident, but this neglected masterpiece shows his own unique Romantic voice.
“For our gala final concert, I have chosen three masterpieces. Haydn’s 44th is sublime and Houstoun is always an inspirational colleague. Schmidt’s 4thSymphony, unjustly buried by the vagaries of history, is one of the greatest of the 20th century. I am proud to present the New Zealand premiere of this tremendous work.” – Marc Taddei, Music Director
Ticket information
To become a subscriber phone 04 801 3882 or Contact Us
- Tickets from Ticketek $53 to $58
Tel 0800 842 538 Service fee will apply - Special Child/Student rates are available
- Discounted Tickets available now on subscription
