“Mozart is a total genius - probably the most famous composer of all time - and he also played the viola which makes him one of my favourites.” Julia Joyce, NZSO Section Principal Viola.

We have all heard of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart but what makes his music so magnificent? The NZSO invites you to uncover the mastery of Mozart in a mini festival featuring three heart-felt, recognisable gems by the great master.

With one of the most famous opening phrases in history, Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor – nicknamed ‘the Great’ – concludes this magnificent concert. The opening motif of this exquisite symphony is instantly recognisable. Composed during a period of exceptional productivity in 1788, when both Mozart’s Symphonies No. 39 and No. 41 were also composed, it has gone on to become one of the most profound musical statements ever written.

Beneath the elegant classical structures of Mozart’s masterworks, lies an intricate web of emotions finely crafted by the famous composer. Before writing Sinfonia Concertante, Mozart endured the devastating loss of his mother and the first pangs of love. So, it is the bigger themes of life that he grapples with in this sublime concerto for violin and viola.

Two of the NZSO’s string stars, Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen and Section Principal Viola Julia Joyce, take centre stage in this impressive work as they trade melodies with each other, exploring the available colours of their instruments as they soar above the Orchestra.

“The Sinfonia Concertante is a wonderful work,” says Joyce. “It’s filled with energy and fun, as well as deep emotion in the slow movement. The Orchestra not only acts as an accompaniment but as a symphonic ensemble in its own right, and the two soloists have a great deal of conversational writing exploring both the violin and the viola's unique attributes.”

Julia Joyce’s premiere solo performance with the NZSO is highly anticipated. She was appointed Section Principal Viola in 2011 – soon after her husband,Andrew Joyce, was appointed NZSO Section Principal Cello.

 

“Performing a double concerto is great fun as you can bounce ideas off each other and the energy you get from the other person in performance makes it very special,” she says. “I am really looking forward to playing this work with Vesa. It’s an honour and privilege to be playing alongside such a wonderful violinist – and we get to perform it eight times as part of theSouth Islandtour!”

Opening the concert is another masterpiece written during a period of upheaval for Mozart - the overture to the opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio). Mozart composed it speedily inVienna, having been ‘relieved’ of his court position inSalzburg. A free man, he infused the overture with cheerfulness, feeding the Viennese vogue for exotic ‘Turkish’ sounds with various bells and whistles.

Leading the NZSO through this memorable concert is American conductor Andrew Grams. Having wowed audiences and NZSO players last year, when he conducted Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Lynn Harrell, Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Schumann’s Symphony No. 4, Grams’ expertise as a violinist makes him an ideal conductor to take on ‘the Great’ Symphony and lead Julia Joyce and Vesa Matti-Leppänen through Mozart’s sublime Sinfonia Concertante.

“Andrew Grams’ visit last year was very well received by everyone, especially the Orchestra,” says Joyce. “As a violinist, I'm sure he is already very familiar with Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante and that will be very helpful as we piece it all together. I am really looking forward to working with him.”

Join us for this ultimate Mozart experience, proudly brought to you by Associate Sponsor: Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

 
Watch video: www.nzso.co.nz/onstage-offstage

The NZSO will also take part in two inspiring education concerts during this Magnificent Mozart tour.
In Nelson, NZSO players will perform a mix of popular classical repertoire (such as Rimsky Korsakov’s The Flight of the Bumble Bee) and contemporary works by New Zealand composers (such as Anthony Ritchie’s French Overture and Gareth Farr’s Little Sea Gongs) at the School of Music, Thursday 15 August, 11.00am - 12.30pm. In Westport, the Orchestra performs the same repertoire at the NBS Theatre, Friday 16 August, 11.00am - 12.30pm.

Press photo opportunities are welcome at both concerts. Both education concerts are booked out.

NZSO: Magnificent Mozart
Associate Sponsor: Ryman Healthcare Ltd.

ANDREW GRAMS Conductor
VESA-MATTI LEPPÄNEN Violin
JULIA JOYCE Viola

MOZART Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) Overture K 384
MOZART Sinfonia Concertante in Eb major K 364
MOZART Symphony No.40 in G minor K 550

WELLINGTON / Michael Fowler Centre / Friday 9 Aug /6.30 pm

TICKETEK / 0800 842 538 / TICKETEK.CO.NZ

BLENHEIM / Floor Pride Civic Theatre / Tuesday 13 Aug /7.30 pm

TICKETDIRECT / 0800 224 224 / TICKETDIRECT.CO.NZ

NELSON / School of Music / Wednesday 14 Aug /7.30 pm

TICKETDIRECT / 0800 224 224 / TICKETDIRECT.CO.NZ

WESTPORT / NBS Theatre / Friday 16 Aug / 7.30 pm
NBS THEATRE / 03 789 4219 / BOOKMYSHOW.CO.NZ

DUNEDIN / Town Hall / Wednesday 21 Aug /6.30 pm

TICKETDIRECT / REGENT THEATRE / 0800 224 224 / TICKETDIRECT.CO.NZ

OAMARU / Opera House / Thursday 22 Aug /7.00 pm

TICKETDIRECT / 0800 224 224 / TICKETDIRECT.CO.NZ

TIMARU / Theatre Royal / Friday 23 Aug /7.00 pm

NEWMANS MUSICWORKS / 03 688 5597 / 117StaffordSt, Timaru

CHRISTCHURCH / CBSCanterbury Arena / Saturday 24 Aug /7.30 pm

TICKETEK / 0800 842 538 / TICKETEK.CO.NZ