Orchestra 60th Anniversary Webcast a Success

7th March 2007

Media Release

Orchestra 60th Anniversary Webcast a Success

Last night the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's free 60th anniversary concert in Wellington marked a significant milestone in the orchestra's history with the first-ever NZ orchestra concert broadcast live on the web.

With the help of media partners, MultiMedia, the NZSO's web cast can be accessed through the orchestra website at www.nzso.co.nz/multimedia/60th_anniversary_webcast and will remain on the site for two weeks until 20th March.

The concert at the Wellington Town Hall, attended by the Prime Minister, celebrated the NZSO's artistic achievements with a programme that included the first work performed at the inaugral concert in 1947 - Dvorak's Carnival Overture. Prime Minister Peter Fraser was all in attendance at that first concert.

The orchestra also took this occasion to pay tribute to the wonderful contribution that James Judd has made as Music Director. James came to the NZSO in 1999 and has taken its artistic achievements on to another plane. The high-point of his period as Music Director was undoubtedly the triumphant European tour of 2005 and the successful international reviews of Naxos recordings - the benefits of his artistic direction are seen on a daily basis. As a surprise gift to James, the orchestra performed Elgar's Carissima, a work they have recorded with Judd and one that he named his own daughter after.

NZ composer, Ross Harris' new work was also world premiered last night continuing the national orchestra's tradition of commissioning New Zealand works that began with the Grandfather of NZ music - Douglas Lilburn. This new work 'The beginning of a new story' deliberately incorporates elements of Lilburn's work 'A Birthday Offering' which was written to celebrate the NZSO's 10th birthday.

Throughout the concert, significant moments in the orchestra's history were projected on screens above the stage and the concert was also shown live on a big screen in Civic Square despite the impending presence of Wellington northerlies!

Radio New Zealand Concert simultaneously broadcast the concert on their network.

ENDS

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