2019 is set to be a big year for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as it moves back into the Christchurch Town Hall. The CSO will be celebrating with style with a proverbial pick and mix – there’s something for every taste.
Photo: supplied
2019 sees stunning core repertoire, interesting soloists, the world premiere of a new Gareth Farr piece and the return of Kiwi favorite drum and bass group Shapeshifter.
Farr honours Sir Edmund Hillary
Gareth Farr’s Roar Of A Thousand Tigers will have its world premiere alongside works by Elgar and Lilburn in July for the “Spirit of Adventure” concert.
It celebrates 100 years since the birth of Sir Edmund Hillary and was commissioned by the Hillary Centenary Steering Committee.
The new work takes its name from Sherpa Tenzing Norgay’s description to Sir Edmund Hillary of the violent, high altitude icy winds that buffet the uppermost slopes of Mount Everest.
Farr says it tells the story of Sir Edmund and Tenzing’s incredible journey up the slopes.
Gareth Farr and his home-made temple blocks Photo: Clarissa Dunn
A portrait of Sir Edmund Hillary dated December 1958. Photo: AFP
Shapeshifter returns
In 2006 local drum and bass act Shapeshifter joined forces with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, recording a show at the Christchurch Town Hall.
Shapeshifter 2016 Photo: supplied
That performance has gone on to be a main-stay in many New Zealanders’ summer playlists.
The two worlds collide in March at the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, with Benjamin Northey conducting.
Virtuosic visitors
A number of virtuosic visitors will grace the stage with the CSO during 2019.
Legendary Swedish trombonist and conductor Christian Lindberg performs a trombone concerto by Ferdinand David and will conduct works from Weber and Tchaikovsky in October.
Christian Lindberg Photo: Creative Commons
Lindberg was voted “the greatest brass player in history” by Classic FM in the UK and has performed with any number of major orchestras around the world from the US and UK through Japan, Australia and Europe.
In September, Grammy Award nominated Los Angeles Percussion Quartet visits as part of “The Planets” concert.
Los Angeles Percussion Quartet Photo: rikemind
The quartet will give the world premiere of New Zealand composer James Gardner’s Concerto for Percussion Quartet, alongside the CSO in a programme that also features Frank Zappa, and Holst’s The Planets.
New Zealand violinist Benjamin Morrison returns home from his job in the Vienna Philharmonic to play Erich Korngold’s Violin Concerto. In the same concert in May the CSO will perform Beethoven’s seventh symphony.
Beethoven by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820 Photo: Public Domain
More Core Repertoire
New Zealanders Anna Leese and Bianca Andrew lend their voices to the CSO’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem in August, along with Jared Holt, Paul Whelan and the Christchurch Symphony Chorus.
Bianca Andrew Photo: supplied
In June guest conductor Hamish McKeich comes to town to lead the CSO in its performance of Salina Fisher’s Rainphase and the Saint Saens Organ Symphony, while guest pianist Moye Chen will play Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 4.
Conductor Hamish McKeich Photo: RNZ/Kirsten Johnstone
In late May violin and viola virtuoso Mark Menzies along with the CSO, collide music and art in two performances at the Christchurch Art Gallery.
The professor of music at the University of Canterbury has arranged some of the classics, and will present the premiere of Chris Gendall’s concerto for violin and chamber orchestra.
Professor of Music Performance at University of Canterbury Mark Menzies Photo: Supplied
