Timeless favourites for Midwinter concerts

Timeless favourites for Midwinter concerts

The magic of Mozart is a principal theme running through the Auckland Philharmonia’s 2003 Midwinter Masterpieces, with each of the concerts featuring a New Zealand soloist performing a work by this popular composer.

Midwinter Masterpieces has been a part of the orchestra’s calendar since 1994, and has become renowned for its intimate and accessible style, with music chosen to appeal to seasoned concertgoers and newcomers alike.

Held in May, July and August, the three concerts in the 2003 series are each performed on a Saturday afternoon at the Bruce Mason Centre in Takapuna and repeated the following day at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell.

The first concert, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May, features two artists who have become firm favourites with Auckland audiences: Auckland Philharmonia Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya and Auckland-born pianist Stephen De Pledge.

Miguel, whose busy schedule includes Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Music Director of the Fort Worth Symphony and the Auckland Philharmonia, as well as regular guest conducting engagements with major orchestras throughout the world, continues to delight audiences both here and abroad. “Harth-Bedoya communicates a warm, exciting and engaging musicality that seems to get an immediate response from musicians and listeners.” Los Angeles Times

Stephen De Pledge has established a reputation as one of the most exciting and versatile musicians of his generation, equally at home as soloist and chamber musician. He left New Zealand in the early ’90s to pursue studies at the Guildhall School in London, and since then has won a string of prizes, made several recordings, and performed in most of London’s major concert halls with such great orchestras as the Philharmonia. In addition, he has performed throughout Europe and the UK, and has featured at the Edinburgh Festival. This year, highlights include his New York début and a tour with the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet. “Stephen De Pledge is a disarmingly relaxed and sunny performer; the difficult double articulations shivered under his hands and his switches of weight were like quicksilver.” The Times, London “Formidable… left me wanting to hear more.” Sunday Times, London

The programme for the Auckland Philharmonia’s first 2003 Midwinter Masterpieces concert features, as well as Stephen De Pledge performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23, Dvoøák’s Symphony No.7, Arvo Pärt’s Silouans Song, and Rossini’s William Tell Overture.

Midwinter Masterpieces, Concert #1 Saturday 24 May – 4pm, Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna Sunday 25 May – 2pm, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell

Adult tickets from $29. For bookings phone the Auckland Philharmonia on 0800-PHILHARMONIA (0800-744 542).

The second and third concerts in Midwinter Masterpieces 2003 are on: 12 & 13 July (with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya and soprano Tania Brand) 30 & 31 August (with conductor Marc Taddei and violinist Justine Cormack)

Midwinter Masterpieces 2003 is supported by the Lion Foundation.

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