World renowned conductor leads musicians

Media release
6 June 2008

World renowned conductor leads University of Auckland musicians in
Russian Serenade

One of the world's most respected musicians will conduct The University of Auckland Strings in a Russian Serenade concert later this month.

Professor Wolfram Christ is one of only a few violists who boasts an international reputation as a soloist. He became the Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of just 22.

Between 1995 - 2000, Wolfram Christ was Artistic Director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and in recent years he has turned increasingly to conducting. He says his desire to conduct arose from years of playing under such conductors as Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado, Carlos Kleiber, Leonard Bernstein and Nikolaus Harncourt during his two decades with the Berlin Philharmonic.

In addition to conducting professional orchestras of renown, Wolfram Christ is also hailed for his work with student orchestras. His forthcoming visit will mark his fourth time working with School of Music students and The University of Auckland Strings.

The Russian Serenade concert comprises Rachmaninov Romance and Scherzo, Alfred Schnittke Moz-Art la Haydn, and Tchaikovsky Serenade Op.48.

"The University's music students are incredibly fortunate to have access to such a world-class artist, conductor and music educator," says School of Music Head Professor Robert Constable. "Under Wolfram Christ's expert guidance the University's young musicians have the opportunity to challenge themselves, hone their skills and make musical advances they may never have imagined possible."

Russian Serenade will be performed at 4pm on Sunday June 22 at the School of Music Theatre (6 Symonds St) at The University of Auckland. Tickets are $30 full price/ $15 concession. To book tickets visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz or phone 0800 224 224 (0800 4 TICKET).

The University of Auckland's National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries comprises the School of Architecture and Planning, Elam School of Fine Arts, the Centre for New Zealand Art Research and Discovery (CNZARD), the School of Music and the Dance Studies Programme.

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