The Irish And Scottish Unite

30 September 2003

MEDIA RELEASE

THE IRISH AND SCOTTISH UNITE

Presented by Bartercard

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky competition winner, Irish pianist Barry Douglas in a great 19th-century programme including Mendelssohn's evocative 'Scottish' Symphony.

On the podium will be NZSO Principal Guest Conductor, Matthias Bamert in concerts that will go to Auckland, Napier, Palmerston North and Wellington.

As part of the Great Classics series, Barry Douglas will perform Brahms' colourful Second Piano Concerto with its Olympian opening piano solo is one of the most demanding piano concerto's ever writeen.

This is contrasted by Mendelssohn's symphonic postcard from Scotland, Symphony No 3 which has become known as the Scottish after it's inspiration. In it he pays tribute to the beauty of the landscape which he described as 'strangely beautiful...everything looks so stern and robust..'. This was the last symphony the composer finished, at the age of 33.

In contrast a new work will feature, Michael Norris' Rays of Sun Shards of Moon, the fourth composer finalist as part of the Douglas Lilburn Composition Prize. Michael describes his work as quite simple - lighter and brighter than his previous Lilburn Prize entry in 2000. Concert FM will repeat all finalists' works during November for listeners to submit their votes.

The second concert as part of the Great Orchestra series will be an exceptional evening of music to melt the heart, including Mozart's well-known, elegant Piano Concerto No 21, with its relaxed summery theme which has been used in many films, including 'Elvira Madigan', 'Amadeus', and 'The Spy who Loved Me'.

The tour de force of this concert is Oliver Messiaen's massive spiritual Turangalila Symphonie with ten movements, broke new ground with its Asiatic Indian and Balinese gamelan influences, when it was premiered by Leonard Bernstein in Boston in 1949. It includes a huge percussion section and the electronic ondes Martenot - which produces wave sounds - and dates from the late 1930s.

Internationally renowned, Barry Douglas gained recognition since winning the Gold Medal at the 1986 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow. He has toured with his extensive concerto and recital repertoire throughout Europe, the UK and the USA. He made his NZSO debut in 1988 and last visited New Zealand in 1996.

Matthias Bamert, best known for his Romantic repertoire and championship of twentieth- century music, has one of the busiest international touring schedules of any conductor. He was recently appointed Associate Guest Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

NZSO GREAT CLASSICS
OCTOBER Saturday 11, 8pm Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON
OCTOBER Thursday 23, 8pm, Municipal Theatre NAPIER
OCTOBER Friday 24, 6.30pm, Town Hall AUCKLAND

A great nineteenth century programme! A Mendelssohn symphony and
Tchaikovsky-winner Barry Douglas in the Brahms big Second Piano
Concerto.
Matthias Bamert conductor
Barry Douglas piano
MICHAEL NORRIS Rays of the Sun, Shards of the Moon (Douglas Lilburn
Prize
2003 Finalist)
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.3 Scottish
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No.2

NZSO GREAT ORCHESTRA
OCTOBER Friday17, 6.30pm Michael Fowler Centre WELLINGTON
OCTOBER Saturday 25, 8pm, Town Hall AUCKLAND

The translucence of Mozart and the colours of Messiaen - worlds apart and with Matthias Bamert and Moscow winner Barry Douglas, an exceptional evening of great music.

Matthias Bamert conductor
Barry Douglas piano
MOZART Piano Concerto No.21
MESSIAEN Turangalîla Symphonie

The translucence of Mozart and a Mendelssohn Symphony - worlds apart and with Matthias Bamert and Moscow winner Barry Douglas, an exceptional evening of great music.

OCTOBER Wednesday 22, 8pm Regent on Broadway PALMERSTON NORTH
Matthias Bamert conductor
Barry Douglas piano
MOZART Marriage of Figaro: Overture
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.3 Scottish
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No.2

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