Russian Riches

Media Release

for immediate release

13 July 2006

Russian Riches

“… [under] the flamboyant Tchivzhel… the Auckland Philharmonia's concert was a spellbinder.”
[NZ Herald, Aug 2005]

“Conductor Arvo Volmer, born and brought up in Estonia, trained in Russia, conveyed his first-hand knowledge of that foreign world to his players, firing them up for a searingly passionate reading.” [The Advertiser, Adelaide, Mar 2006]

Expect musical fireworks as the overwhelming power and passion of some of the greatest Russian music ever written is showcased during two concerts with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on 10 and 17 August.

Between them, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov have written some of the world’s best known and best loved music. Acclaimed Russian-born actress Elena Stejko introduces a selection of works by these two extraordinary figures on Thursday 10 August during the second concert in the APO’s Vero Series. Two of Russia’s most dynamic artists – conductor Edvard Tchivzhel and pianist Marina Kolomiytseva – join the APO in presenting Rachmaninov’s immortal Second Piano Concerto, Tchaikovsky’s engaging Capriccio Italien, and a firm audience favourite to complete the programme, Tchaikovsky’s great 1812 Overture.

The following week, the ninth concert in the APO’s APN News & Media Premier Series features the first ever Auckland performance of Shostakovich’s monumental Leningrad Symphony. Written in the besieged city in 1941, the story of Leningrad endures in no small measure because the Leningrad Symphony continues to bring the story of its tremendous suffering, sacrifice, and eventual triumph to new audiences. Under esteemed conductor Arvo Volmer this all-Shostakovich concert also includes his Piano Concerto No.1, a work which could almost be considered a double concerto for piano and trumpet, featuring the highly anticipated return of pianist Robert Thies alongside the APO’s principal trumpet, Victor Silverstone.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Vero Series

Thursday 10 August – 8pm, Aotea Centre THE EDGE®

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra APN News & Media Premier Series

Thursday 17 August – 8pm, Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

Bookings: phone the Ticketek Orchestra Hotline on (09) 307 5139 or visit www.ticketek.co.nz

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra receives major funding from Creative New Zealand and major grants from Auckland City and the ASB Charitable Trust.

ENDS

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