Orchestra Wellington presents Firebird's full score

10 April 2017

Orchestra Wellington presents Firebird's full score

World, Say Hello to Genius:
ORCHESTRA WELLINGTON presents FIREBIRD

SATURDAY 13 MAY, 2017, 7:30PM
MICHAEL FOWLER CENTRE, WELLINGTON

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No 1 in C Major

John Elmsly
Violin Concerto
(Orchestra Wellington Composer in Residence)

Igor Stravinsky
The Firebird (Complete Ballet Score)

Marc Taddei, Conductor
Jun Hong Loh, Violin
Grand Prize Winner, Gisborne International Music Competition 2015
GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Orchestra Wellington opens its concert season with two works that welcome the arrival of young genius upon the world stage. Stravinsky had barely finished his studies when the great impresario of the Ballets Russes, Diaghilev, recognised his talent and commissioned the work that would make him world famous: the Firebird.

Music Director Marc Taddei calls the Firebird a fantastically imaginative blend.

“Stravinsky takes the folk music of Russia and mixes it with the exotic orchestration of his teacher, Rimsky Korsakov, and the harmonic language of the great Impressionists. If one score deserves to be called ‘magical’, it’s this one. It’s a masterpiece!”

Taddei says he is thrilled to present the music for the full ballet.

“Normally in a concert performance, the Firebird is heard in shortened suites,” Taddei says. “The full score is rarely heard, and it is a revelation,” he says.

Taddei decided to pair the Firebird with Beethoven’s First Symphony. “I like the idea of hearing how two young geniuses announced their voice to the world,” he says.

The First Symphony shows Beethoven’s mastery of the symphonic form developed by his teacher Haydn, and then takes a confident step beyond that into the musical territory that he would one day revolutionise.

To complete the programme, the Orchestra presents the world premiere performance of one of New Zealand’s great senior composers - John Elmsly. Elmsly’s Violin Concerto will feature the Singaporean violinist Jun Hong Loh, winner of the 2015Gisborne International Music Competition.

Taddei calls 2017, “the season of the Impresario”, highlighting the link between the visionary founder of the Ballets Russesand the major body of works created at his behest: works that will be a major focus of the Orchestra’s performances this year.

“This year begins with the promise of extraordinary innovation and genius - a promise that will be fully realised throughout the season.”

/ENDS

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