The NZSO At The Heart Of Romantic European Music

13 August 01

THE NZSO AT THE HEART OF ROMANTIC EUROPEAN MUSIC

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra introduces world-renowned pianist, Bruno Leonardo Gelber, in a series of ravishing concerts around the North Island in August and September.

Guest conductor Yoel Levi will be on the podium for the Great Classics concert, which explores the heart of Europe with Berlioz's brilliant Beatrice and Benedict Overture and the romantic Schumann Piano Concerto. This is Schumann's only completed piano concerto, and it is seen as the landmark of Romantic music particularly for its richness and lyricism.

The youthful joy and energy of Mozart's Divertimento in D, is a perfect compliment to the musical triumph that is Mozart's Symphony No 41, which also became known as the 'Jupiter' symphony, an appropriate name for this famous and majestic work.

The fourth concert of the 2001 Great Orchestra series presents the heroic and dramatic Brahms' First Piano Concerto - the most powerful of his two piano concertos.

Sibelius is considered one of the chief symphonic composers of the 20th century, this concert will also feature his powerful Symphony No 1. The beauty and grace of his homeland in Finland is the inspiration for this symphony.

Yoel Levi had already established his globe-spanning career as a guest conductor when he became Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony in 1988. During his twelve years there, he transformed the Atlanta Symphony into a world-class orchestra, building a reputation that was the envy of his five main American counterparts. This is Maestro Levi's first visit to New Zealand. Of Austrian and French-Italian origin, Bruno Leonardo Gelber was born to musical parents and was introduced to the piano at the age of three by his mother and made his first public appearance in Argentina at the age of five. Gelber has worked with many conductors including Georges Szell, Mstislav Rostropovivich, James Judd, Franz-Paul Decker and David Zinman. He makes his debut with the NZSO with this tour.

PROGRAMME

Great Classics Concert Season 2001 The heart of Europe from Classical to Romantic. AUG Saturday 25, 8pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON AUG Tuesday 28, 8pm, Regent on Broadway PALMERSTON N'TH* AUG Wednesday 29, 8pm, Napier Municipal Theatre HAWKE'S BAY AUG Thursday 30, 8pm, Founders Theatre HAMILTON AUG Friday 31, 6.30pm, Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND

Yoel Levi conductor Bruno Leonardo Gelber piano

BERLIOZ Béatrice et Bénédict Overture SCHUMANN Piano Concerto MOZART Divertimento in D Major MOZART Symphony No 41 'Jupiter' *PALMERSTON NORTH Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Regency Room 'Mozart 41'

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Great Orchestra Concert Season 2001

The majestic sweep and unforgettable melodies of Brahms's big First Piano Concerto. SEPT Saturday 1, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND* SEPT Saturday 8, 8pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON*

Yoel Levi conductor Bruno Leonardo Gelber piano

SIBELIUS Symphony No 1 BRAHMS Piano Concerto No 1 *WELLINGTON Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Ilott Concert Chamber *AUCKLAND Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Concert Chamber

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