Events Calendar

The macabre and a cello celebration forms the base of the Central Otago Regional Orchestra’s November concert series to be performed in Wanaka and Roxburgh. Danse Macabre Op.40 (Saint-Saëns) is based on the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year where the saints (hallows), martyrs and faithful dead are remembered. This takes place on the Eve of All Hallows Day. The composer gave a dramatic musical view of this occasion providing the listener with a collation of pathos, dramatic intensity and eeriness with the use of chromatics, crescendos. accelerando and occasional calm. Think Halloween on steroids!  Our very own Sheena Naughton will play the exciting violin solo in this piece.

Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns composed his Cello Concerto No 1. Op. 33 in A minor as a celebration of the cello. This concerto is nontraditional because the three movements within it are not separated in the normal way, but rather morph from one to the other In a seamless fashion. The cello and all its capacity for musical expression and virtuosity is given a huge opportunity to shine. Our soloist for this work is looking forward to demonstrating the power and subilty of his special carbon fibre cello to Central Otago audiences. Jason is a member of the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and has played in other orchestras in the North Island.

The fact that he is the son of our conductor and that his mother Jacqui will be in support on her mellow bassoon will give our November concert series a real family feel. This theme of family will be further enhanced by the inclusion of a piece by one of our longstanding orchestra-family members. Allen Hogan, who is a member of our flute section has composed a work called Seanaid which has Celtic themes running throughout its course.

Complimenting these pieces, and, to somewhat lighten the ambience, Greig’s Symphonic Dance Op.64, No. 2, is a beautiful melodic piece of music featuring some very smooth oboe solos.

Percussion will come to the fore in the Procession of the Sardar No.4 by Ippolitov-Inanov. Leading the charge in the percussion for our concert will be Ayako Cameron on timpani (and other rhythm makers).  She will be joined by a team to give a resounding rendition of this procession which celebrates the Sardar, or feudal lord, in the area of the Caucasus Mountains.

Join us between our mountains overlooked by Tititea, (Mount Aspiring), in Wānaka and Kopuwai (Old Man Range) Roxburgh for a powerful November concert series.

Venues and Times:

Lake Wānaka Centre, Wānaka. November 9, at 7.30 pm.

Roxburgh Entertainment Centre. November 10, at 2.00pm.

Tickets will be available on-line and through local outlets.

Location

Wanaka and Roxburgh