The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) will perform a selection of classical music’s greatest hits across five cities from 31 May. The tour, titled Masterworks: Mozart, Beethoven & Haydn, will visit Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Manukau, and Kerikeri.
This tour is part of the NZSO’s annual Setting Up Camp program. Along with evening concerts, the orchestra will hold daytime community performances and events in each city.
The concerts will be led by NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd. NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen will perform as the soloist in Mozart’s beautiful Fifth Violin Concerto. This tour promises to be a memorable musical experience.
The programme will vary by location. In Wellington and Blenheim, audiences will hear Mozart’s Violin Concerto, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite No. 1—including the famous In the Hall of the Mountain King—Beethoven’s beloved Sixth Symphony, Pastoral, and the world premiere of The Garden, a new piece by New Zealand composer Briar Prastiti.
In Manukau and Kerikeri, the concerts will include The Garden, Peer Gynt, Pastoral, and Haydn’s majestic Symphony No. 100, known as Military.
Nelson audiences will enjoy Haydn’s Military Symphony, Mozart’s Fifth Violin Concerto, and a special addition: the overture from Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio.
James Judd says, “New Zealand produces a wealth of wonderful new music in many styles. Our programme features The Garden by Briar Prastiti, which was commissioned by SOUNZ and the Tarling Trust. This work, alongside Grieg’s Peer Gynt, highlights the presence of nature in our music.”
He adds, “Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony reflects his love of nature. It is not only a vivid picture of the natural world but also expresses the personal feelings we experience through nature’s spirit.”
Regarding Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5, Judd notes, “Mozart wrote it when he was just 19. Our superb Concertmaster, Vesa-Matti Leppänen, will be the soloist. Listen for the third movement, which features delightful influences from Türkiye.”
Beyond the main concerts, the Setting Up Camp program includes special daytime events. In Nelson (6 June) and Manukau (10 June), NZSO will host Relaxed Concerts. These concerts are designed for neurodivergent people of all ages who may find traditional concert settings challenging.
Schools’ Concerts are planned for Wellington (29 May), Manukau (11 June), Whangārei (12 June), and Kerikeri (13 June). There will also be Side-by-Side concerts where local musicians play alongside NZSO members, happening in Nelson (7 June) and Whangārei (12 June).
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