Kick off the spooky season early with an evening of thrilling music performed by the Auckland Philharmonia on 16 October in the Auckland Town Hall. Featuring repertoire that explores themes of nightmares, witchcraft and death, led by spirited and expressive French conductor Pierre Bleuse, this concert is sure to haunt you (in a good way) for some time afterwards.
Berlioz’s spectacular Symphonie fantastique is one of the most spine-tingling pieces of music ever written, and seeing it performed live by a full-strength Auckland Phil is not to be missed. This gripping masterpiece of hallucinogenic nightmares and ghoulish delights was inspired by the composer’s delusional infatuation with an actress he saw perform in 1827, which shocked audiences when it premiered in 1830. This exhilarating work has also featured in horror movies, including Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.
The concert opens with a bewitching work by New Zealand composer, Louise Webster, Proof Against Burning. Over four short movements, this intriguing piece considers the gruesome ‘tests’ used in historical trials for witchcraft and whether similar injustices continue to this day.
Also appearing in this mesmerising night of music is Kiwi piano sensation Sylvia Jiang, performing Liszt’s bone-chilling Totentanz (Dance of Death) alongside the orchestra. Totentanz is thought to have been inspired Andrea Orcagna’s famous The Triumph of Death painting, an artwork that left a lasting impression on the composer during his visit to Italy. Incorporating an ancient musical symbol of Death, the Dies irae chant from the Mass for the Dead, this work will have you on the edge of your seat.
The New Zealand Herald Premier Series: Fantastique!
7.30pm, Thursday 16 October
Auckland Town Hall
Conductor Pierre Bleuse (Australasian debut)
Piano Sylvia Jiang
Louise Webster Proof Against Burning (Auckland Philharmonia premiere)
Liszt Totentanz
Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
Presented in association with ICBC
Music for this concert has been supported by Anne Norris & Anne Stewart