NZSO tours Heartland with the ultimate Beethoven experience

NZSO tours Heartland with the ultimate Beethoven experience

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man. E.M. Forster

The first four notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony comprise one of the most famous moments in the history of music. In Heroic Beethoven, they complete an evening of exhilarating and heroic music performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the talented Bulgarian conductor Danail Rachev.

With its insistent ta-ta-ta-TUM, we can well agree with English writer E.M. Forster’s sentiment that it is “the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man”.

Such vital, energetic music has stood the test of time. It is as much loved by music critics as it is by those discovering classical music for the first time. This heartland tour, Heroic Beethoven, is the ideal introduction for curious music lovers who wish to delve deeper into this rich world of Romantic music.

Opening this concert is the overture to The Ruins of Athens. Composed as a diplomatic celebration of the modern city of Pest, this dazzling piece of music is the perfect way to begin this unique celebration of Beethoven.

With dark melodies and searching rhythms, Beethoven begins the overture with a tone of despair as the Greek gods return to Athens to find the ancient city lying in ruins. However, the mood soon turns, transforming into music that is majestic and gloriously optimistic.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D major offers an unwavering freshness, with music that is often leisurely and richly expressive. Composed in Beethoven’s twenties, when he battled with hearing problems, this ‘sunny’ work is one of his early triumphs and an absolute gem of his early period of composition which hints at future glories.

Making his debut with the NZSO is Bulgarian conductor Danail Rachev. Heralded by critics as “a musician of real depth, sensitivity and authority” (Dallas Morning News), Rachev is currently in his fourth season as music director and conductor of the Eugene Symphony, Oregon, positions that have previously been held by conductors Marin Alsop, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Giancarlo Guerrero.

The NZSO is delighted to welcome him to New Zealand to conduct both this ‘mini-festival’ of Beethoven music and our four inspiring education concerts in Wellington, New Plymouth, Gisborne and Whakatane. (Full details below)

There's no denying the Bulgarian-born conductor can light a fire under an orchestra and smoke out exciting musical moments. The GR Press, 2011

Join us for this ultimate Beethoven experience, proudly brought to you by Associate Sponsor: Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

ENDS

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