International violin star Janine Jansen debuts in NZ

25 February 2015 - NZSO Media Release for immediate release

International violin star Janine Jansen debuts in New Zealand

Dutch violin star Janine Jansen teams up with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in her debut New Zealandperformance of Tchaikovsky’s famous Violin Concerto.

One of the most difficult and well-known violin concertos ever written, Piotr Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece features fiery cadenzas and heartfelt melodies. Composed in 1878, in the wake of an intensely traumatic time in Tchaikovsky’s life, it is a real surprise that this concerto is so sunny in its disposition. Just one year earlier, the great Russian composer tried to take his own life by walking into the freezing Moscow River. In an attempt to save him, his brother took him to Italy where he was introduced to Lalo’sSymphonie espagnole for violin and orchestra. Deeply inspired, the draft for Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was finished 11 days later. Within one month, the entire concerto had been orchestrated, revised, and completed.

The problem was, no one could play it. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto requires an incredible feat of virtuosity and it is little wonder that the original violinist, who the work was dedicated to, declined to perform it. Leopold Auer’s first reaction to the work was one of complete disbelief. Following its deceptively warm and inviting introduction, the concerto quickly turns into a display of exceptional dexterity for the soloist. An unconventionally placed cadenza, in the middle of the first movement rather than the end, is a stroke of genius but a true test of skill for the violinist.

Janine Jansen is a perfect fit for such a soulful and technically demanding concerto. Acclaimed for her pure, silvery tone and the lyrical beauty of her playing, she has received shining reviews for her appearances with prestigious international orchestras like the Royal Concertgebouw and the New York Philharmonic. Overwhelming her audiences with deeply felt and inspiringly virtuosic performances, Jansen is one of the most exciting soloists of her generation, in complete command of her 1727 Stradivarius violin.

Watch her perform >

Teaming up with Swedish conductor (and husband) Daniel Blendulf, expect an intimate performance full of passion and incredible skill. Known for his confident and graceful style, Blendulf’s youthful and passionate interpretations will bring magic to this evening of great works.

It is a night for the Russians. Completing the programme is the Russian folk fantasy Anatoly Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake, and Sergey Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, written in wartime as a tribute to the human spirit.

Composed in just one month in 1944, Prokofiev described his Symphony No. 5 as the “culminating point of my creative life. I imagine the Symphony as the expression of the grandeur of the human spirit”. Composed in the Soviet Union, after a long self-inflicted exile in Western Europe and the USA, it would come to symbolise the eventual Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

Throughout the Symphony Prokofiev has proved himself not only a master of orchestral colour but of intriguing and dramatic rhythms. The extent of Prokofiev’s lyrical inventiveness is dazzling, the listener constantly stumbles upon snippets of new ideas, and the Symphony’s heroic energy is instantly appealing. Immediately popular, it has become one of the great orchestral works of the 20th century – a hymn to “free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit.” (Prokofiev)

Opening the concert is Liadov’s atmospheric tone poem The Enchanted Lake. Prokofiev, who was taught by Liadov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, assessed that his “most remarkable feature” was his “laziness”. But his tone poem The Enchanted Lakeevokes anything but laziness. Inspired by the folk stories of his homeland, this impressionistic soundscape creates a shimmering atmosphere, evoking stars reflected in gently lapping water.

Composed in 1908, The Enchanted Lake was inspired by Lake Ilmen, south of St Petersburg. Liadov was transfixed by the scene he saw, writing:

How purely picturesque it is – with bountiful stars over the mysteries in the depths! But most importantly it is uninhabited, without entreaties and complaints; only nature – cold, malevolent, but fantastic as a fairy tale.

Celebrate the music of three Russian masters and one of the great stars of the violin world in a spellbinding display of virtuosity and orchestral verve. Experience Janine Jansen plays Tchaikovsky, in association withCrowne Plaza Auckland.

ENDS

Attached imagery features violinist Janine Jansen. Please credit accordingly.

For further information or interviews, please contact:
Janina Hanify | Publicity & Communications Manager
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra | Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa
P +64 4 801 2037 Ext. 722; M +64 275 745 294
E janinah@nzso.co.nz

NZSO: Janine Jansen plays Tchaikovsky
The Violin Concerto
In association with CROWNE PLAZA AUCKLAND

Daniel Blendulf CONDUCTOR
Janine Jansen VIOLIN

LIADOV The Enchanted Lake
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 5

AUCKLAND / Town Hall / Friday 27 March / 7.00 pm
TICKETMASTER / 0800 111 999 / TICKETMASTER.CO.NZ

WELLINGTON / Michael Fowler Centre / Saturday 28 March / 7.30pm
TICKETEK / 0800 842 538 / TICKETEK.CO.NZ

www.nzso.co.nz

PRE-CONCERT TALK: Janina Hanify, NZSO Publicity and Communications Manager, will speak at the free pre-concert talks inside the venues, 45 minutes prior to each concert.

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