Orchestra celebrates 25th Anniversary in style

Orchestra celebrates 25th Anniversary in style

“Piers Lane’s relaxed manner, charming the audience, belied the quiet intensity of his performance in which every note was carefully detailed with regard to tonal shade, textural position and structural importance.” [Sydney Morning Herald]

“Eugene Fodor has the looks, poise and the presence of the Romantic Violin Virtuoso, all of which he uses to great effect. He couples these natural attributes with drive, imagination and verve – the inborn skills of a great artist.” [Washington Post]

“Mischa Santora… a solid technician and a sensitive musician.” [New York Times]

November marks the Auckland Philharmonia’s 25th birthday. To celebrate, the orchestra is bringing three distinguished artists to New Zealand – Piers Lane, Eugene Fodor and Mischa Santora – to perform two concerts on 18 and 25 November during the orchestra's SPRING SEASON. The concerts are sponsored by Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in association with SkyCity Auckland Community Trust.

PIERS LANE needs little introduction. A guest artist of the Auckland Philharmonia for many years, this acclaimed pianist has a flourishing international career which has taken him to more than 40 countries. His concerto repertoire exceeds 70 works, including many rarities by British and European composers. He is also in great demand as a chamber music player and has an extensive discography. On Friday 18 November Piers Lane performs Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor (following performances of the work with the London Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestra). The concert also features Sibelius’s Finlandia; Stravinsky’s Four Norwegian Moods; and Nielsen’s Aladdin Suite.

The artistry of violinist EUGENE FODOR has captivated musicians, critics and the music-loving public for over 25 years as soloist with orchestra, in recital and on record. Since his triumphs in two international competitions over 20 years ago, he has not had a single season of fewer than 50 concerts. In the early 1990s Eugene Fodor was a frequent guest artist with the Auckland Philharmonia. On Friday 25 November this superb violinist returns to celebrate the orchestra’s 25th anniversary in a concert featuring some of the works which have helped make the orchestra what it is today. Eugene Fodor plays two pieces on his 1708 Stradivarius: Chausson’s Poème and Ravel’s Tzigane. Also on the concert programme are Glinka’s Russlan und Ludmilla Overture; Beethoven’s Symphony No.8; the world premiere of Auckland Philharmonia Composer-in-Residence Ross Harris’s Cento; Wieniawski’s Scherzo-Tarantelle; Revueltas’s Sensemaya; and Galindo’s Sones de Mariachi.

To conduct these two concerts is young Swiss conductor MISCHA SANTORA, described as one of the brightest stars on the international conducting scene. The New York Times has consistently hailed Santora for his “spacious, resonant, and accomplished” performances, drawing from his players a “subtlety of blend and refinement of phrasing”. Santora is the newly appointed Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, having recently completed a three-year tenure as Music Director of the International Opera Festival Miskolc (Hungary). In North America, he enters his fifth season as Music Director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and continues as Artistic Advisor to the New York Youth Symphony, having held that orchestra’s position as Music Director from 1997-2002.

Experience these impressive musicians when they join the Auckland Philharmonia to celebrate the orchestra’s 25th Anniversary.

“Nordic Night” – Friday 18 November, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall

“Jubilee Jewels” – Friday 25 November, 8pm, Auckland Town Hall

Adult tickets: $35 to $87; concessions available (service fees may apply). Bookings phone the Ticketek Orchestra Hotline on (09) 307 5139 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz.

The Spring Season is sponsored by Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in association with SkyCity Auckland Community Trust. The Auckland Philharmonia receives major funding from Creative New Zealand and major grants from Auckland City and the ASB Charitable Trust.

ENDS

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