Concerts
Russian Romantics, NZSO & Freddy Kempf
Alexander Lazarev conductor
Freddy Kempf piano
Concert 5
GLINKA Ruslan and Ludmila Overture
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No.3
GLAZUNOV The Seasons
The brooding majesty of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3 makes it the vehicle of choice for virtuosos with the intent to thrill. The piano chants, murmurs, glitters and attacks the orchestra with thundering salvos of chords. Throughout of course, are Rachmaninov’s big-hearted Russian melodies, the sounds of bells, of nostalgia and moonlight… The intrepid Freddy Kempf is more than a match for Rach Three.
As the Telegraph (UK) says, “Kempf has the maturity and musicality with which to harness his gifts to artistic ends. He has the fearless exuberance of youth. He is prepared to take risks, a readiness that brings spontaneous combustion to his playing; but he has sensitivity, too.”
Written just ten years earlier than Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto, Glazunov’s Seasons was one of the last ballets in the spectacular Russian Imperial tradition as perfected by Tchaikovsky. And like Tchaikovsky’s ballets, The Seasons overflows with memorable tunes and dazzling orchestral colours. Beginning with a swirl of dancing snowflakes and frost in Winter and ending with an autumnal bacchanalia, The Seasons is a romp through the wonders of nature. With his blend of intensity and wit, the mercurial Alexander Lazarev is the perfect guide to fin-de-siècle Russia.
Wellington Michael Fowler Centre / Sat 12 June / 8pm
Book at TICKETEK
Auckland Town Hall / Sat 19 June / 3pm
Book at THE EDGE
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