The NZSO’s Shed Series is already a hit with the younger crowd, with their craft beer and smart phone selfies, and that’s exactly what the orchestra wanted when programming the three gig series that combines contemporary with classical orchestral music.
Friday night’s gig was a sell-out, with the crowd enjoying a bevy of music from Zappa, Mozart and Stravinsky at Shed Six in Wellington. They nearly drank the venue dry.
Frank Zappa Photo: supplied
Reviewer Hadyn Green has had a few experiences with Frank Zappa’s music but attending the NZSO’s shed series on Friday Night was by far the nicest.
He was introduced to Zappa by a friend’s uncle who pointed a firearm at him and made him listen to numerous Zappa albums. Fortunately, the NZSO’s performance of Zappa’s orchestral works was not as scary.
It wasn’t the usual performance by the NZSO going for a casual feel, and two intervals. In turn the audience was able to move around the venue. Some audience stood, while others moved their seats around.
Hadyn says conductor Hamish McKeich was great, explaining people were free to go in and out if they felt like it. The crowd however didn’t move during the music.
The only thing Hadyn struggled with was applause… some in the audience reacted against clapping between movements, something he says wasn’t right in the casual vibe.
But overall is was a good introduction to classical music. Hadyn says it was excellent listening to pieces he’d never heard before and a very good gig.
Would he go again? Absolutely.
The next NZSO Shed Series concert features music from Radiohead rocker Jonny Greenwood and Haydn on Friday June 1.
