“I hope a recording of this is released – specifically this show. It was wonderful. And feels like time-capsule stuff for New Zealand music….”
“Gershwin’s An American in Paris, here thrillingly given what I can only describe as the “full” treatment by Marc Taddei and his players. From the start, the energies of the piece came at us in great and colourful waves, with brash auto-horns and whipped-up tempi at the climaxes. Played with such sharply-focused detailing the quieter interludes, when they came, made an enormous impact of withdrawal…”
“In its first subscription concert of the year the newly named Orchestra Wellington responded to Marc Taddei’s innovative programming and dazzling leadership with some exhilarating playing….”
“…The playing was superbly taut and dynamic and, when I say that it rivalled that on a wonderful new Ellington disc by the Buffalo Philharmonic on Naxos, I do not exaggerate.”
Written by Martyn Pepperwell for Vanguarded Magazine
From 4pm on Sunday the 26th of May, Orchestra Wellington takes over The Wellington Town Hall for Night Creature, their first subscription concert. Under the masterful ear and eye of musical director/conductor Marc Taddei, Orchestra Wellington will showcase works from three American composers who effortlessly blend the vitality of jazz and popular music with the classical idiom. They’ll also show off the wind and brass in Music for Wind, Brass and Percussion, from their Emerging Composer in Residence, Karlo Margetic. In celebration of this event, we asked Taddei to run us through the works which will be displayed live on the afternoon/evening.
“For this season, Orchestra Wellington has decided to focus on art music that references and is inspired by popular idioms. In each concert one of more of these works will be performed – from classics such as An American in Paris to contemporary works written especially for us. We are excited to present great works by indisputably great composers, including George Gershwin, Luciano Berio, Leonard Bernstein and the truly great Duke Ellington.”
George Gershwin
An American in Paris
“It would be difficult to imagine a season focus on art music inspired by popular idioms without including George Gershwin’s masterpiece of 1928 – An American in Paris. Inspired by his time studying in Paris, one can certainly hear the influences of the great mid century French composers that he came in contact with but through it all, the voice is uniquely that of Gershwin himself. This extraordinary gift prompted Ravel to say (after Gershwin had asked for lessons), “Why would you want to risk being a second-rate Ravel when you are already a first-rate Gershwin?”. He did take lessons in Los Angeles with his good friend and tennis partner Arnold Schoenberg, but when Schoenberg heard of their respective annual incomes he said, ‘Perhaps it is I who should be studying with you!’.”
Leonard Bernstein
Three Meditations from Mass
“One of the most controversial works Bernstein ever composed was MASS: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers.
It is an elaborate, allegorical work that interspersed the ancient Latin text of the Catholic mass with more modern expressions of doubt and rejection. Bernstein’s score crosses over many idioms, and incorporates jazz and rock music; the full version requires an orchestra, a marching band and a rock band, a full chorus, a smaller chorus of younger rock and pop singers, a children’s chorus, a ballet company, and a large cast led by a folk singer, the Celebrant of the mass.
Bernstein developed the Meditations from three instrumental passages in MASS that accompany the ceremonial dance episodes – and in all three, the cello is cast in the role of protagonist. Together the Meditations cover a wide range of tempos, colors, and emotions. The piece does end quietly, but without the achievement of serenity or certainty – questions linger.”
Karlo Margetic
Music for Wind, Brass and Percussion
“Orchestra Wellington is proud of our extensive composer in residence programme. With three different gifted composers, we have the most extensive such programme in the country. This is even more remarkable considering the budget level of the orchestra. Karlo is our emerging composer in residence and he has written a work that is extraordinarily well crafted. I strongly believe that one of the most important roles an orchestra can provide is to identify, support and promote talent and we are delighted that the inaugural composer in residence is Karlo.”
Duke Ellington
Night Creature
“The great American composer, Duke Ellington wrote Night Creature because he wanted to , “try to make the symphony swing!”. Unlike other composers who experimented in this amalgamation of jazz and classical traditions, Duke Ellington stands apart in bringing his distinctive musical voice to the concert stage in a way that hints at something new and exciting in the cannon of the western art music tradition.”
End note: The orchestra is proud to welcome NZSO Principal Cellist Andrew Joyce as soloist. Joyce, who hails from Norwich, England, has performed all over the world with the London Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras. He has played as Guest Principal with the Northern Sinfonia, the Bournemouth Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, and maintains an international career in chamber music.
“A large audience was in attendance to appreciate both the quality on offer, and the imagination and commitment that Marc Taddei has brought to music- making in the capital. Marc Taddei, conducting from memory, gave a performance of extraordinary tension.”