Southern Sinfonia 2012 Concert Programme
Romantic Grandeur: Brahms & Sibelius
International Series One
Saturday 24 March 2012, 8:00 pm Regent Theatre
Hamish McKeich, Conductor, Diedre Irons, Piano
Programme:
Lilburn: Drysdale Overture
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
Brahms' music contains passion, power, excitement and grandeur. These qualities are clearly displayed in his Second Piano Concerto, a tour de force of symphonic proportions which makes huge demands on the soloist's stamina. Wellington-based pianist Diedre Irons' triumphant recent performance of this concerto was described as having "breadth and beauty".
Sibelius' Fifth Symphony, one of his best-known works, culminates in the final movement's 'swan theme', suggested to this Finnish composer by the sight and sound of swans circling above in the haze of early spring sunshine.
Conductor Hamish McKeich is an immensely versatile conductor who has forged an impressive international career. Based in Wellington, he conducts all New Zealand's and Australia's major orchestras, as well as conducting in Europe and the Middle East.
Wind Power
Matinee Series One
Saturday 5 May 2012, 5:00 pm King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre
Sunday 6 May 2012, 3:00 pm King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre
Benjamin Northey, Conductor, Luca Manghi, Flute, and Nicholas Cornish, Oboe.
Programme:
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Mozart: Oboe Concerto
Nielsen: Flute Concerto
Schubert: Symphony No. 5
Wind Power showcases the technical and musical prowess of two Sinfonia Principal woodwind players. Luca Manghi performs the Flute Concerto by Carl Nielsen, the most notable Danish composer of the early 20th century, and Nicholas Cornish the Oboe Concerto by Mozart.
Benjamin Northey, whom the Melbourne Age describes as "a born conductor who revels in his work", makes his first appearance with the Sinfonia. After graduating from the Symphony Australia Conductor Development Program, he studied in Finland and Sweden, followed by mentorships with the London Philharmonic and Philharmonia orchestras. He conducts major orchestras in Australia, New Zealand, London and Hong Kong, and is Associate Conductor at the Melbourne Symphony.
Bold as Brass
Matinee Series Two
Saturday 30 June 2012, 5:00 pm King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre
Sunday 1 July 2011, 3:00 pm King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre
Dane Lam, Conductor and Sarah Wilson, Trumpet
Programme:
Handel: Royal Fireworks Music
Haydn: Trumpet Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 Eroica
The addition in 1793 of keys to the trumpet allowed the playing of consecutive notes in the instrument's lower register, opening up a new world for composers. In his concerto, which brims with musical inventiveness, Haydn exploited this innovation to the full.
After study at Auckland University, soloist Sarah Wilson gained a Masters with distinction in performance at Trinity College of Music, London. Currently Section Principal Trumpet of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, she divides her time between orchestral, soloist and teaching engagements.
Dane Lam is acclaimed as "one of the most talented young conductors Australia has produced". The first half of 2012 sees him conduct in Sapporo (Japan), in France as assistant to Kurt Masur, and in England, before travelling to New Zealand.
Elgar's Enigma Variations
International Series Two
Saturday 21 July 2012, 8:00 pm Regent Theatre
Brett Kelly, Conductor, Jack Liebeck, Violin
Programme:
Sibelius: Finlandia
Dvorak: Violin Concerto
Elgar: Enigma Variations
Melbourne-based conductor Brett Kelly returns to conduct Elgar's Enigma Variations, a firm favourite in the world's concert halls. Interestingly, it was this work that truly cemented Elgar's reputation as a composer. Elgar described the work's 13 variations as depicting "friends pictured within", with Elgar including himself for the finale. The music is typical of Elgar's style: from pomp and swagger, to heartfelt delicacy.
Violin soloist Jack Liebeck is now well-established as one of the world's leading young violinists. The list of orchestras and artists he has worked with reads as a who's who of today's classical music. Of his recording of Dvorak's Concerto, The Telegraph stated: "a musician of exceptional gifts, blessed with a glorious mellifluous tone and interpretative insight. This is wondrous playing of the most compelling sort."
Tales of Ice & Fire
International Series Three
Saturday 8 September 2012, 8:00 pm Regent Theatre
Simon Over, Conductor, Jenny Wollerman, Soprano, James Rodgers, Tenor, Robert Tucker, Baritone, and City of Dunedin Choir
Programme:
John Drummond: The Journey Home (World première)
Tchaikovsky: Capriccio Italien
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite (1919)
The Journey Home tells the tale of Scott's ill-fated Antarctic expedition, and this performance marks the tragedy's centenary.
Texts are by Jeremy Commons, Claire Benyon, Bill Manhire, Chris Orsman, and from the Book of Common Prayer.
Jenny Wollerman is acknowledged for her exquisite tone and compelling performances; James Rodgers, from Wellington, now based in New York, returns after his highly-praised 2009 Haydn performance with us, and Robert Tucker returns from Scottish Opera success.
London-based Simon Over will conduct Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, drawn from the music for Diaghilev's sensational ballet. Based on a Russian folktale, it recounts the battle between the magical Firebird and a demon. Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien recalls sunny climes, Italian folk music and street songs.