Emma Pearson (sop), Margaret Medlyn (alto), Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono (ten), Robert Tucker (bass), Orpheus Choir Wellington, Orchestra Wellington/Marc Taddei Photo: Creative Latitude
Somi Kim (pno), Emma Pearson (sop), Margaret Medlyn (alto), Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono (ten), Robert Tucker (bass), Orpheus Choir Wellington, Orchestra Wellington/Marc Taddei
"The Classical Style" presents three remarkable works that pay homage to the classical tradition while showcasing the unique voices of their composers. Beginning with Sergei Prokofiev's ‘Classical Symphony’, a youthful work that re-imagines what Haydn might have composed if he were alive in the 20th century. Germaine Tailleferre's ‘Piano Concerto’, a sparkling piece that gives a nod to Bach's third Brandenburg Concerto. Finally, Orchestra Wellington concluded with Ludwig van Beethoven's monumental ‘Symphony No. 9 in D Minor’, celebrating its 200th anniversary.
Sergei Prokofiev Photo: Public Domain
Sergei Prokofiev's ‘Classical Symphony’ was composed in 1917, during the tumultuous year of the Russian Revolution, this piece is a delightful nod to the classical style of Haydn. Prokofiev imagined what Haydn might have composed if he were alive in the 20th century. The result is a symphony that is both graceful and structured, yet infused with Prokofiev's unique touch of light and shade.
Germaine Tailleferre Photo: Studio Harcourt, Public Domain
Somi Kim (piano), Orchestra Wellington Photo: Creative Latitude
Born in France in 1892 in France, Tailleferre studied at the Paris Conservatoire despite her father’s opposition. She was the only female member of ‘Les Six’, the famous group of composers working in Montparnasse, which also included Poulenc and Milhaud. Her music is known for its charm and clarity and often reflects the influence of earlier musical styles. Throughout her life, she composed a wide range of works, including ballets, operas, and film scores. Tailleferre continued to compose until her death in 1983. Her 'Piano Concerto' was completed in 1924 and pays homage to Bach’s third 'Brandenburg Concerto'. This is evident in the piano’s intricate quick-silver lines and the fugal patterns in the third movement.
Pianist Somi Kim has been hailed for her "breath-taking range of colour, tone and inflection", She is one of New Zealand's most sought-after pianists and a member of the NZTrio. A winner of the Royal Over-Seas League Accompanist Prize and the Gerald Moore Award for Accompanists, Somi enjoys an impressive career as a chamber musician and soloist.
The audience wasn’t ready to let Somi Kim leave without an encore. When she sat back down at the piano, she said ‘You may recognize this’, drawing chuckles from the audience when she launched into Mozart’s Rondo alla Turk.
Marc Taddei conducting Orchestra Wellington Photo: Creative Latitude
2024 marked the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Beethoven's monumental ' Symphony No 9 in D minor Op 125, Choral'. Its premiere in Vienna on May 7, 1824, was a landmark event. Beethoven had been considering having it premiered in Berlin, fearing he’d fallen out of favour in Vienna due to the popularity of Italian operatic composers like Rossini. But when his friends and financiers found out, they begged him to hold the performance in Vienna in the form of a signed petition.
The premiere packed out the renowned Carinthian Gate Theatre as it was Beethoven’s first onstage appearance in twelve years.
Beethoven conducting Photo: Katzaroff, Public Domain
The performance also included the 'Consecration of the House Overture' and three movements of his equally monumental 'Missa Solemnis'. Despite being profoundly deaf, Beethoven conducted the performance, and famously was unaware of the audience's enthusiastic response until the alto turned him around to see the applause.
The work's grand scale, innovative use of a voices in the final movement, and profound emotional depth marked a departure from the Classical era's conventions and paved the way for the Romantic era's expressive and expansive compositions.
Recorded at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington 6 July, 2024
David Houston, producer and engineer
Jeremy Maclean, assistant engineer
