The 2005 Season

Exotic Birds

Birdsong has inspired composers and performers since antiquity, not only with its beauty and freedom but also with its mystery and the secrets of its structure. This concert with music by Delius, Messiaen and Zagni is all inspired by birdsong. In Ivan Zagni's work, the musicís structure mirrors the migration of the New Zealand long tailed cuckoo, the Koekoea.

Delius, On hearing the first cuckoo in spring
Delius, Summer night on the river
Messiaen, Oiseaux Exotiques
Zagni, Clarinet Concerto ìThe Koekoeaî

Peter Scholes, clarinet and conductor
Marc Taddei, conductor
David Guerin, piano

The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross

Haydn composed nine poignant movements to reflect on and depict the seven last words of Christ on the Cross. It is intensely beautiful music. This concert presents Haydnís original conception of this music as a purely orchestral work. The hypnotic piece for strings by John Adams entitled Shaker Loops opens the concert.

Adams, Shaker Loops
Haydn, The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross

Peter Scholes, conductor

Schoenberg Quintet

Composition with twelve notes has no goal other than comprehensibility

The quintet is Schoenbergís first twelve note composition and is a masterwork combining the power of logical thought and classical structure to produce a challenging and expressive music.

Ibert, Three Short Pieces
Reicha, Wind Quintet in E flat major, Op. 88, No.2
Schoenberg, Quintet for Winds, Op. 26

Catherine Bowie, flute
Martin Lee, oboe
Peter Scholes, clarinet
Jane Kircher, bassoon
TBA, horn

Shostakovich

I want my listeners, as they leave the hall after hearing my symphony, to think that life is truly beautiful.

Shostakovich, Symphony No. 14
Peter Scholes, conductor
Zan McKendree-Wright, mezzo-soprano
Daniel Keeling, bass

Gone to the Beach

New work, collaborations and improvisations with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra and guest composers and performers:

Don McGlashan
Ivan Zagni
Johnathan Besser
Peter Scholes

The Music of Scandinavia

A concert of music from the Scandinavian countries. We play well known works such as Greigís Holberg Suite and the Nielsen Flute Concerto and the New Zealand premiere of music by Sˆderlundh and Sallinen.

Greig, Holberg Suite
Sˆderlundh, Concertino for Oboe and Strings
Sallinen, Concerto for Chamber Orchestra
Nielsen, Flute Concerto

Peter Scholes, conductor
Alexa Still, flute
Martin Lee, oboe