British Violin Sensation Joins APO In February

British Violin Sensation Joins APO In February

A New Beginning - APN News & Media Premier Series Concert 1

Thursday 19 February, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE®

February 10, 2009 – British teenage violin sensation Jennifer Pike joins the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra for its first major concert of the year this month.

Seven years ago, Jennifer (then aged 12) became the youngest-ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year and continues to turn heads with her exquisite playing.

She joins newly-appointed APO music director Eckehard Stier in the APO’s first major concert of the year, A New Beginning, on Thursday 19 February at 8pm at the Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE. A New Beginning is the first concert in the APN News & Media Premier Series.

APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser is excited to present Jennifer Pike in Auckland. “She’s a young musician who is making a huge impact on the classical music world,” Ms Glaser says.

Jennifer, whose father is British composer Jeremy Pike, began playing violin at the age of five, and as a 10-year-old was selected to perform for Prince Charles at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

“Her playing has led to her being hailed as one of Britian’s brightest musical prodigies for a generation. I heard in Jennifer a remarkable understanding of music far beyond her years” – Daily Mail

After winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition, she had her debut at the prestigious Wigmore Hall, has performed with the United Kingdom’s major orchestras, and last year was the first classical musician ever to be honoured with The South Bank Show/The Times Breakthrough Award, and was named as a BBC New Generation Artist for 2008-2010.

“She is simply a stunning musician,” Ms Glaser says. “And we are so pleased that Auckland audiences will have this opportunity to hear her perform with our very own orchestra.”

Jennifer will join the orchestra to perform two pieces matched to her dynamism and sweep: Chausson’s lush Poème and Ravel’s tribute to the gypsy violin, Tzigane, which is known for its fiendishly difficult passage work and virtuoso technical demands.

Jennifer Pike performs on a violin fashioned in 1708 by one of the greatest Venetian luthiers, Matteo Goffriller.

Also featuring in the programme is Rachmaninov’s opulent second symphony, a work which established him as one of the great composers. It will be conductor Eckehard Stier’s first concert as the APO’s Music Director.

“We have been very much looking forward to this concert with Eckehard taking up his new role. He was a very popular guest conductor with the orchestra for two concerts last year and he brings passion, excitement coupled with extraordinary musicianship.”

The APO performs A New Beginning on Thursday 19 February at 8pm at the Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE®. Tickets are available from THE EDGE®, Ph 0800 BUYTICKETS (289 842) or www.buytickets.co.nz

ENDS

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