Young, gifted and Bach: two special concerts for Wellington

Young, gifted and Bach: two special concerts for Wellington in February

Wellington will host special performances over two nights in February with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra celebrating some of Bach’s best-loved works, followed by a summer concert by the NZSO National Youth Orchestra.
Back to Bach, at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on 2 February, will feature works by the music giant and two of his contemporaries, Italian violinist Pietro Locatelli and French opera composer Jean-Philippe Rameau.
NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen, who will direct the concert and perform, says it will be a superb mix of music from the Baroque era 1600-1750. The Cathedral of St Paul is also an appropriate venue as Bach composed many of his works to be performed in churches.
“Back to Bach is exciting not only because we play two of his very famous Brandenburg concertos, but also music from the same era by Locatelli and Rameau. This music is the basis for what classical music is now.”

Leppänen says the concert is also special because there is no conductor. “Every player is extremely important. Everyone is basically leading the music, so you will see and hear a very active performance from all of us.”
The concert will also include one of Bach’s most popular and admired works, the 2nd movement of Suite No. 3 in D major, best known as Air on the G String.

The 60-member National Youth Orchestra will perform works by Beethoven, Elgar and Dvořák on 3 February at the Michael Fowler Centre.

The Orchestra will be conducted by Australian Guy Noble and will accompany acclaimed young Kiwi Cellist Matthias Balzat. Balzat won the prestigious National Concerto Competition last year and will perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto, one of the most popular cello concerti ever written. The programme also features Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, from his only opera Fidelio, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 inspired by the composer’s love of Bohemian music.

The Wellington concert is the culmination of a special week-long summer music camp in Lyttlelton that includes intensive rehearsals with the conductor and select NZSO players, followed by a public performance in Christchurch.

“The NZSO National Youth Orchestra players are excited to rehearse with Guy Noble and members of the NZSO. For them, it’s not only a chance to perform three great works. They know the rehearsals will help them grow as musicians,” says NZSO Chief Executive Christopher Blake.

“For the public, it’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the Orchestra and soloist Matthias Balzat performing three much-loved works.”
ENDS

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