World Shattering Violinist Makes Debut

World Shattering Violinist Makes Debut In NZSO'S Opening Season Concerts

"My nomination for CD immortality is the Shostakovich First Violin Concerto as played by Vadim Repin. He dominates the platform and plays with authority and control producing a sound so true and pure even when under pressure." Editor, The Strad, November 2000.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra opens Season 2002 in April by showcasing one of the world's greatest violinists, Vadim Repin. The 30 year old will perform Tchaikovsky's romantic violin concerto as part of the Great Classics series, with NZSO Music Director, James Judd, on the podium. Repin will perform in Christchurch, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, Hamilton and Auckland.

The late Yehudi Menuhin called Repin "simply the best, the most perfect violinist I have ever heard". Repin's recording of three Mozart Concertos under Menuhin's baton with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, received the 1999 Echo Klassik Award, and saw Repin named Instrumentalist of the Year.

Siberian-born Vadim Repin's international career began at 17 after winning one of the most prestigious and demanding violin competitions in the world, the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Since then he has appeared with the world's greatest orchestras and carved out a stellar career.

In Strings Magazine, Edith Eisler describes Repin's "spectacular technique, a virtuoso's natural flair without a virtuoso's mannerisms or exaggerations. His tone is radiantly beautiful, warm, variable, and powerful...". Eisler continues, "what is most captivating about his playing is his innate feeling for the music, his unerring sense of style, and his irresistible charm."

The Russian splendour of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto with its rich themes is complemented by a centenary celebration of master English composer, William Walton, with his magnificent Symphony No 1, as well as Rossini's popular William Tell Overture.

James Judd, Music Director of the NZSO, and 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.

Repin will also perform, as part of the Great Orchestra series, Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No.1, with which he has long been closely associated. This concerto is a moving, historical account of Russian life under Stalin and Repin's performances and recordings have received tremendous international acclaim.

The music of ultimate romantic composer, Rachmaninov, also features as part of this concert, with his Symphony No 2. The NZSO will pay tribute to previous colleagues in the 55th year of the orchestra, by performing Dvorak's Carnival Overture, the first work the orchestra ever performed in public.

PROGRAMME

NEW ZEALAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 'SEASON 2002' Great Orchestra Carnival - the first work the NZSO ever performed, a world-shattering violinist and a romantic symphony full of melody. APRIL Wednesday 10 , 8pm, Christchurch Town Hall CHRISTCHURCH* APRIL Saturday 13 , 8pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON* APRIL Saturday 20, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND*

James Judd - conductor Vadim Repin - violin DVORAK: Carnival Overture SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Concerto No1 RACHMANINOV: Symphony No 2 *Free pre-concert talk

~~ Great Classics One of the world's greatest violinists in the most romantic concerto of them all, plus an anniversary celebration of the music of William Walton.

APRIL Sunday 14 , 6.30pm, Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON APRIL Friday 19, 6.30pm, Auckland Town Hall AUCKLAND

James Judd - conductor Vadim Repin - violin ROSSINI: William Tell Overture TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto WALTON: Symphony No 1

~~ Great Classics It's pure enjoyment all the way here! One of the world's greatest violinists in the most popular concerto, and a romantic symphony full of melody. APRIL Wednesday 17, 8pm Napier Municipal Theatre HAWKE'S BAY APRIL Thursday 18, 8pm Founders Theatre HAMILTON* James Judd - conductor Vadim Repin - violin ROSSINI: William Tell Overture TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto RACHMANINOV: Symphony No 1 *Free pre-concert talk TICKETS $70 - $20 plus concessions Book at Ticketek A transaction fee may apply

The NZSO reserves the right to change artists and programmes without notice.

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