Lane's virtuosity earns thunderous applause
The Piers Lane Plays Lizt Concert in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday 14 June 2008 was reviewed by Marian Poole for the Otago Daily Times (16 June 2008):
"Pianist Piers Lane with conductor Vladimir Verbitsky and the Southern Sinfonia repeated the success of their 2004 performance of the Lizt Piano Concerto in E on Saturday evening."
"The work is one of those rarities, a challenge to even virtuosic technique demanding Olympian stamina and speed as well as musicality as opposed to mere showmanship. Both were exalted here."
"... Thunderous applause and many curtain calls paid an honest tribute to a great work, excellently presented by great artists."
"... Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorksky... Tenor saxophone, tuba and euphonium, played superbly by Nicolas Cornish, John Masterton and William Henderson respectively, derserve special mention."
Piers Lane Podcast on Radio NZ Concert
Renowned Australian pianist currently in NZ for masterclasses, solo performances and concerts with the Southern Sinfonia.
Listen to this podcast of an interview with Piers Lane on Radio New Zealand Concert Upbeat on 9 June 2008. (Audio - duration: 21'28")
You will need to install Windows Media Player 9 if you do not already have it installed.
Violinist captures works with wit and charm
The Chuanyun Li Concert in the Glenroy Auditorium on Sunday 25 May 2008 was reviewed by Marian Poole for the Otago Daily Times:
"Chuanyun Li, the great violinist from China, breathed new life into Mozart's Concerto No 5 for Violin and Orchestra before a sell-out audience at the Southern Sinfonia concert at the Glenroy yesterday.
He captured the work's wit and charm, and added his own dynamic sense of luxuriant freedom.
... An extraordinarily enthusiastic audience knew it was in the presence of brilliance ..."
(Extract from the review of the Chuanyun Li concert by Marian Poole in the Otago Daily Times, Monday 26 May 2008.)
Barbara Graham engaged to sing in Carmina Burana
Initially Rebecca Ryan had been contracted for this role, but subsequently she was invited to sing at the Edinburgh Festival. We wish her well and are delighted to announce that Barbara Graham will sing in Carmina Burana in August.
Prime performance from Southern Sinfonia, pianist
The Michael Houstoun Concert in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday 19 April 2008 was reviewed by Elizabeth Bouman for the Otago Daily Times:
"A city the size of Dunedin is truly blessed with a symphony orchestra of the calibre of the Southern Sinfonia.
Conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite, it performed three works in a well-filled town hall on Saturday evening, and I heard nothing but praise from patrons in the foyer after.
The strings were in excellent form for the opening work ... a magnificent performance from concert pianist Michael Houstoun. A radiant orchestral palate captured the mood, and Houstoun's piano interpretation of this programmatic concerto was absolutely brilliant ...
Southern Sinfonia appears to be in prime condition this year, and as one discerning audience member said, there was never a moment when one might grimace, or feel anxious - and I totally agreed."
(Extract from the review of the Michael Houstoun concert by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times, Monday 21 April 2008.)
Carnival Spirit at Last Night of the Proms
Owing to the unprecedented number of sales for the Last Night of the Proms the Southern Sinfonia presented two performances of the Proms concert on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd February in the Town Hall.
"Hundreds of concert-goers in red white and blue packed Dunedin Town Hall last evening for Last Night of the Proms, presented by a tri-coloured Southern Sinfonia (concert master Sydney Manowitz), with City of Dunedin Choir (musical director David Burchell) and guest performers. Bookings are heavy for the repeat concert tonight, with two Southern sons, now of international fame, home to participate. Bass baritone Jonathan Lemalu and conductor Tecwyn Evans really put their individual stamp on the night, with youthful humour and informality, revelling in the home-town audience and carnival atmosphere."
(Extract from the review of the Proms concert by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times, Saturday 23 February 2008.)
Lemalu to visit
The Southern Sinfonia has scored a major coup, signing Jonathan Lemalu and conductor Tecwyn Evans, both formerly of Dunedin, for next year's Last Night of the Proms.
Lemalu and Evans, who both reside in England, last performed together six years ago at the Dunedin Performing Arts Society and St Kilda Brass Band 100th anniversary concert. Otago Daily Times cartoonist Garrick Tremain, of Queenstown, will be master of ceremonies for the February 22 event. (Extract from an article by Nigel Benson in the Otago Daily Times, Wednesday 21 November 2007.)
Passion in presence of calm enthrals audience
The Nikolai Demidenko Concert in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday 25 August 2007 was reviewed by Holly Mathieson for the Otago Daily Times:
"Principal guest conductor Werner Andreas Albert and returning pianist Nikolai Demidenko performed... before an enthralled audience, the consuming passion of the Russian and calm, humble reserve of the German creating magnificent energy in the concerto", she says of Beethoven's Emperor Piano Concerto. "From the outset [Demidenko] produced a commanding tone, sensitively accompanied with balance and perfect ensemble by the orchestra."
Demidenko in interview with William Dart of the New Zealand Herald, on Thursday 30 August 2007
Demidenko praises the Southern Sinfonia, with whom he played Beethoven's Emperor last week - "its Bruckner Fourth had the real sound that you know from Beecham and Furtwangler, thanks to Werner Andreas Albert, and I wish it had been recorded".
Enthusiastic audience enjoys diverse range of music
The Carey's Bay Historic Hotel Celebrity Concert in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday 26 May 2007 was a delight for performers and audience alike. This performance was given a rave review by Abbey Smith for the Otago Daily Times:
"The Sinfonia and Mr Evans produced a shining transparency of sound which was delicate and evocative" she says of the Debussy. "Antiphonal sections [for the choir in Poulenc's Gloria], in particular, were well done with precise entries and exits. Emma Fraser sang the soprano solos with a pure tone that suited the music". Of the Beethoven she says: "Tecwyn Evans allowed the gentler moments to hover, and drove through the more exciting bits with enthusiasm; the result was excellent and much appreciated by the audience."
Choristers combine well with orchestra
The Southern Symphonic Spectacular! concert at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill on Saturday 19 May 2007 was a great success. The Invercargill performance was reviewed by Lyn Daly and here is an extract from her review:
"The choir was impressive"... "Congratulations to freelance conductor Tecwyn Evans who conducted with energy and precision. The orcherstra's performance deserves special mention and responded well under Mr. Evans's baton."
Southern Pride - Dunedin Heritage Festival Concert
24 March 2007
This is what the critics had to say about the Southern Pride Concert:
"As well as the thrill of hearing soprano Anna Leese (so happy and beautiful in a stunning gown), there was the incredible experience of watching NHNZ's wildlife series Equator on a huge screen with latest high-definition projection, accompanied by an orchestral transcription of Trevor Coleman's original Emmy-nominated electro-acoustic score." "Leese was absolutely brilliant... delivered with confidence, strength and thrilling top notes... sailing effortlessly above orchestra and exemplary woodwind obligato."
"Equator Circle of Life... and incredible wildlife movie with a rich orchestral canvas... a soaring solo voice (Cally Hammond-Tooke) and varying harmonic vocal effects from the choir." "Congratulations all round for an absolutely amazing journey..." "There simply has to be a DVD!"
Review by Elizabeth Bouman in the Otago Daily Times, Monday 26 March 2007.