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The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is to perform the major orchestral works of a single legendary composer in four back-to-back Wellington concerts next month.

The four-day Brahmissimo! festival celebrates the masterworks of Johannes Brahms. It features four symphonies, two piano concerti, a violin concerto and a double-concerto for violin and cello.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is to perform the major orchestral works of a single legendary composer in four back-to-back Wellington concerts next month.

The four-day Brahmissimo! festival celebrates the masterworks of Johannes Brahms. It features four symphonies, two piano concerti, a violin concerto and a double-concerto for violin and cello.

Led by NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen, the orchestra will share the stage with four soloists including the Russian violin virtuoso Mikhail Ovrutsky, a protégé of superstar violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Acclaimed New Zealand pianists Michael Houstoun and Diedre Irons complete the line-up, along with the NZSO’s own brilliant young Principal Cellist Andrew Joyce.

Pietari Inkinen says Brahms was a giant among Romantic composers, and his music is full of drama and emotion.

“He was a technical genius so his works will be very demanding for the soloists. His symphonies are massive in scale, and we’re tackling them in chronological order. It’s going to be an epic four days!”

The special concert series is part of the REAL New Zealand Festival, the national cultural celebration running alongside Rugby World Cup 2011. It is proudly supported by Manatu Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

NZSO Brahmissimo! A Complete Brahms Experience

Pietari Inkinen conductor

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

Diedre Irons piano

Michael Houstoun piano

Mikhail Ovrutsky violin

Andrew Joyce cello

Programme One

Soloist: Diedre Irons

BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2

Wellington Michael Fowler Centre / Wed 12 October / 6.30pm

Programme Two

Soloist: Mikhail Ovrutsky

BRAHMS Tragic Overture
BRAHMS Violin Concerto
BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Wellington Michael Fowler Centre / Thu 13 October / 6.30 pm

Programme Three

Soloist: Michael Houstoun

BRAHMS Symphony No. 3
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 1

Wellington Michael Fowler Centre / Fri 14 October / 6.30 pm

Programme Four

Soloists: Mikhail Ovrutsky and Andrew Joyce

BRAHMS Academic Festival Overture
BRAHMS Concerto for Violin and Cello
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4

Wellington Michael Fowler Centre / Sat 15 October / 2 pm

For ticket information see www.nzso.co.nz