Brilliance of Brahms & Violin Virtuosity in May

MEDIA RELEASE
April 30, 2007

Brilliance of Brahms & Violin Virtuosity Showcased in May

APN News & Media Premier Series, Concert 5 - ‘The Majesty of Brahms’
Thurs 24 May, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE
Christian Knapp – Conductor
Nelson Goerner – Piano

APN News & Media Premier Series, Concert 6 - ‘Worlds Beyond’
Thurs 31 May, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE
Christian Knapp – Conductor
Mark Kaplan – Violin

One of the world’s most popular piano concertos will be performed by leading Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner when he makes his New Zealand debut with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on Thursday 24 May. The following week, US-based violinist Mark Kaplan, who wowed Auckland audiences in 2005, returns on Thursday 31 May.

Both concerts are part of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s APN News & Media Premier Series, held at 8pm in the Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE.

At the first concert, ‘The Majesty of Brahms’, the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 will make up the entire second half of the concert. This concerto is known to be one of the most challenging for pianists and it will be the first time the APO has performed the work in five years.

“The Brahms Piano Concerto is technically challenging for the soloist and subsequently one of the most exciting for audiences to listen to,” says APO Chief Executive, Barbara Glaser. “The APO is very excited to have acclaimed Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner make his New Zealand debut with us performing this much-loved concerto.”

Mr Goerner was born in San Pedro and before the age of three, had taught himself to read and write – an early indication of his talents. He studied in Argentina and won First Prize in the Franz Liszt Competition in Buenos Aires in 1986, aged just 17. This led to a scholarship to work with Maria Tipa at the Geneva Conservatoire, and in 1990, he won First Prize at the Geneva Competition. Since then Mr Goerner has performed recitals throughout Europe and performed with many of the world’s best orchestras. He is also an accomplished chamber musician, having played with the Takács Quartet, cellist Stephen Isserlis and violinist Vadim Repin, and also performs repertoire for two pianos with his wife, Rusudan Alavidze.

‘The Majesty of Brahms’ and ‘Worlds Beyond’ concerts will be conducted by US-based Christian Knapp, whose previously concerts with the APO have been lauded by audiences and critics alike.

Also making a welcome return is violinist Mark Kaplan who will perform Béla Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2 at ‘Worlds Beyond’. In 2005 Mr Kaplan stepped in at the last minute to replace Salvatore Accardo, performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto in the Aotea Centre to great acclaim – and relief!

“In 2005 Mr Kaplan, quite literally, saved the day for the APO and also the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, at which he was a replacement judge,” says Ms Glaser. “Anxiousness that the audience might not be satisfied with a replacement was swept away by his amazing performance that garnered four curtain calls.”

Coincidentally, Mr Kaplan got his first big break in 1975 when he was asked to replace Pinchas Zukerman in a concert in Cologne. This led to engagements with the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic with Klaus Tennstedt which launched his international career. Mr Kaplan is currently a Professor of Violin at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Prior to teaching in Indiana, he was Professor of Violin at UCLA in California.

Mr Kaplan will once again judge the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in June and present a masterclass at the University of Auckland School of Music on June 7 as part of his involvement in the competition. He will also perform with some of the other judges at the Competition Launch at the Queenstown Memorial Hall on June 1.

Appropriately enough for New Zealand Music Month, both APO concerts feature New Zealand compositions in their programmes: ‘The Majesty of Brahms’ will feature the world premiere of Christopher Blake’s Anthem on the Kaipara – the third piece of his series Northland Panels based on photographs by Robin Morrison; and ‘Worlds Beyond’ features David Hamilton’s Elysian Fields which will be performed alongside Stravinsky’s Petrushka.

Tickets for the APN News & Media Premier Series, Concert 5, ‘The Majesty of Brahms’ and Concert 6, ‘Worlds Beyond’ are available from Ticketek Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz.

http://www.aucklandphil.co.nz
http://www.michaelhillinternationalviolincompetition.com

ENDS

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