Radio New Zealand Concert to Broadcast the NZSO in Vienna

Wednesday, 22 December 2010, 3:15 pm
Press Release: Radio New Zealand

NZSO Astonishes European Audiences

Radio New Zealand Concert to Broadcast the NZSO in Vienna

On Saturday 1 January (New Years Day), Radio New Zealand Concert is broadcasting a live recording of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s ground-breaking concert in Vienna.

Recorded in the historic Grosser Saal of the Musikverein under the baton of Pietari Inkinen, the Orchestra performed works by New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn, Tchaikovsky, Brahms and the Sibelius Violin Concerto with leading international violinist Hilary Hahn as guest soloist.

It was the highlight of the Orchestra’s three-week tour of five countries during which they received multiple standing ovations and an admiring critical reception across Europe. The Swiss newspaper Neue Luzerner Zeitung reported “The orchestra from New Zealand was a sensation” and its performance in Lucerne had “astonished the audience”.

Radio New Zealand Concert Manager, Roger Smith says the broadcast gives all New Zealanders the opportunity to hear the country’s best musicians at the peak of their careers on the world stage.

“The recording was made a lot easier because of the special relationship Radio New Zealand has with the European Broadcasting Union. The EBU is the largest association of national broadcasters in the world who promote cooperation between broadcasters and facilitate the exchange of audiovisual content.”

NZSO Chief Executive Peter Walls says the concert was the artistic highlight of a landmark tour.

“The orchestra proved its world-class status in Vienna, with a brilliant performance that sealed our reputation in Europe. Pietari Inkinen declared it the concert of his career to date, with players describing that performance as an emotional experience they would never forget.”

The concert is being broadcast at 8.00 pm on Radio New Zealand Concert on Saturday 1 January and can also be accessed through our Website www.radionz.co.nz

ENDS

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