Celebrating 20 Years Of House Of Michael Fowler

Celebrating 20 Years Of The House Of Michael Fowler

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, in association with UnitedNetworks, celebrate 20 years of entertaining at the Michael Fowler Centre with a lively concert of celebration music which will also feature multi-screen presentations and pyrotechnics during Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

With NZSO Music Director James Judd on the podium, the orchestra will perform a selection from Mendelssohn's enchanting Overture and Incidental Music for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Also featuring will be two works by leading Australian composer, Peter Sculthorpe. His Earth Cry for Symphony Orchestra and Didgeridoo reflects the breadth, vastness and loneliness of the Australian landscape and the sounds of its wildlife. The soloist for this performance is William Barton, who gave the world premiere of the work.

Sculthorpe's Piano Concerto, written 20 yrs ago, is a tragic work - three of his closest friends died during the period he was writing it - but it is more concerned with life affirmation than with death. Some of his musical ideas stem both from the ancient court music of Japan and the Balinese gamelan. It will be performed by one of the most acclaimed and awarded Australian pianists of her generation, Tamara Anna Cislowska.

The concert will close with Tchaikovsky's celebratory 1812 Overture, undoubtedly the Russian master's best known piece. This was performed as part of the opening concert celebrations for the Michael Fowler Centre in 1983. In this performance there will be fireworks aplenty - done the pyrotechnics - plus on-screen images and lighting effects.

Wellington Mayor, Kerry Prendergast, said today, "It's incredible to believe that it has been 20 years since this first class events centre opened its door to the public in a concert featuring the NZSO. This 20th anniversary celebration is a very special occasion, not only for the convention centre but also for the people of Wellington who generously contributed to bring the premier Michael Fowler Centre to life so many years ago."

Peter Walls, NZSO Chief Executive added, "The NZSO is proud to have been in at the christening of the Michael Fowler Centre. We gave the opening concert - and the preview 'Hard Hat' concert for those involved in the MFC's construction. Now it is the NZSO's home in Wellington. Long may the MFC thrive as the home of excellent symphonic music." Peter Walls, NZSO Chief Executive.

Patrons will also be presented with birthday cake at the concert in commemoration of this anniversary.

PROGRAMME Wednesday 17 September Wellington Michael Fowler Centre 8pm

MENDELSSOHN A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture and Excerpts SCULTHORPE Earth Cry SCULTHORPE Piano Concerto TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture

Tickets $35 and $25 Children $7.50 Student/Senior rush $10 on day of concert until 30 minutes before concert Book at Ticketek A Ticketek service fee will apply

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