World Star Performs With The NZSO

12 October 2001

MEDIA RELEASE

WORLD STAR PERFORMS WITH THE NZSO IN A FEAST OF ROMANTIC FAVOURITES

A feast of favourite Late Romantic music and the New Zealand debut of world renowned cellist, Lynn Harrell are just some of the highlights of the spectacular final concerts of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's 2001 subscription season in Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

NZSO Music Director James Judd will be on the podium introducing award-winning Lynn Harrell, whose work in America, Europe and Asia has placed him in the highest echelon of today's performing artists.

As part of the Great Classics series, the orchestra will showcase Harrell in Dvorák's brilliantly virtuosic second Cello Concerto. This concerto, with its beautiful melodies and poignant moods, is often seen as one of this celebrated composer's greatest achievements.

The concert also features two works from English composer Sir Edward Elgar. The lively musical story of Falstaff, which describes the character and life of Shakespeare's fat knight, and the popular Engima Variations portraying the eccentric characters of 14 of the composer's friends.

James Judd, Music Director of the NZSO, Florida Philharmonic, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, maintains a busy schedule of international engagements. Maestro Judd conducted the highly successful NZSO Ludwig! 2001 tour and continues to build the NZSO's worldwide reputation through his musical vision and dynamic leadership.

Lynn Harrell is a consummate soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor and teacher. A frequent guest of many of the leading orchestras, he has performed to Pope John Paul II at the historic occasion on the Vatican's first official Commemoration of the Holocaust. His extensive discography includes the Grammy nominated album, Duos for Violin & Cello, with violinist Nigel Kennedy. Lynn Harrell plays a 1673 Stradivarius formerly owned by famed cellist Jacqueline Du Pré.

As part of the Great Orchestra Series, Harrell will perform Shostakovich's poignant second Cello Concerto. Russian composer, Shostakovich is acknowledged as one 20th-century's greatest composers and expresses the turbulent times of his homeland of Russia. In contrast the NZSO introduces young Christchurch composer, Alwyn Westbrooke, winner of the composition section of the 2000 Schools Chamber Music Competition. NZSO Music Director James Judd and NZSO CEO Ian Fraser, in support of New Zealand young composers, commissioned Westbrooke's first symphonic work Facets, which will debut in Wellington on his 19th birthday.

The NZSO will also perform Debussy's exquisite Prélude à l'apres midi d'un faune, which is featured on the sell-out NZSO CD Beauty Spot and the idyllic Brahms Symphony No 2.

PROGRAMME

Great Classics Concert Season 2001

Simply irresistible! A feast of favourite Late Romantic music OCT Friday 26, 6.30pm Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON OCT Tuesday 30, 8pm Christchurch Town Hall CHRISTCHURCH* OCT Wednesday 31, 8pm Dunedin Town Hall DUNEDIN* NOV Friday 2, 6.30pm Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND

James Judd conductor Lynn Harrell cello

WESTBROOKE Facets (Christchurch only) ELGAR Falstaff DVORAK Cello Concerto ELGAR Enigma Variations

*CHRISTCHURCH Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Limes Room Martin Setchell *DUNEDIN Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Fullwood Room Martin Setchell Subject: "Elgar"

Great Orchestra Concert Season 2001 The fantasy of Debussy, a world star in the expressive Shostakovich and the warm embrace of Brahms.

OCT Saturday 27, 8pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON* NOV Friday 3, 8pm Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND*

James Judd conductor Lynn Harrell cello

WESTBROOKE Facets DEBUSSY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto No 2 BRAHMS Symphony No 2

*WGTN Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Ilott Concert Chamber Larry Jenkins *AKL Pre-concert talk 7.15pm Town Hall Concert Chamber Larry Jenkins Subject: "The Symphonies of Brahms"

NOV Wednesday 7, 8pm, Napier Municipal Theatre HAWKE'S BAY The fantasy of Debussy, the melodies of Dvorak, and the warm embrace of Brahms.

James Judd conductor Lynn Harrell cello

DEBUSSY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune DVORAK Cello Concerto BRAHMS Symphony No 2

For further details please contact Hannah Evans on 04 801 3833/025300 680

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