Works for NZSO-SOUNZ Readings announced

Five orchestral works have been selected for the 18th session of NZSO-SOUNZ Readings to be held in the Wellington Town Hall on the 3rd and 4th of May this year, conducted by Tecwyn Evans. 

Fantasia: Wild Rhymes of Spring by John Elmsly
Ancient Rhythms by Leonie Holmes
and the Finale from Symphony (1968) by John Rimmer
will be rehearsed and recorded on Monday 3 May;
lithospere – symphony no. 1 (first movement) by Patrick Shepherd 
and Convergence – Triple Concerto by Michael Williams
will be rehearsed and recorded on Tuesday 4 May.

The five composers whose works will be in the 18th session of NZSO-SOUNZ Readings in May: (l to r) John Elmsly, Leonie Holmes, Patrick Shepherd, John Rimmer, Michael Williams.

A panel of four musicians convened by SOUNZ and representing performers and orchestras, selected these works from nearly 30 submissions. "Their choices align well with the aims SOUNZ holds for this important collaborative project," says Scilla Askew, Executive Director of SOUNZ. "Through this project SOUNZ hopes to draw the attention of orchestral programmers, broadcasters and others who are making programming choices to the rich, diverse and sizeable repertoire that exists in New Zealand orchestral music. The panel chose these particular works from those submitted because they believe that they deserve to be heard more widely and it is particularly gratifying to see that works commissioned by some of our community orchestras are being given wider attention through this project." 

Since 1998, seventeen previous Readings sessions have been held through which 93 works by 57 New Zealand composers have been 'read'. As a result of this project at least 27 of these works have gone on to receive further performances and broadcasts. 

"It will be fascinating to hear the diversity represented by these pieces. John Rimmer's Symphony was written in 1968 and John Elmsly's work is from 1987 but neither have had a full public performance. These are major works from highly experienced composers so it is wonderful that they will be heard performed by our national orchestra.

"Patrick Shepherd's lithosphere is a work inspired by his creative residency in Antarctica. Leonie's Ancient Rhythms was commissioned and premiered by the Manukau Symphony Orchestra, while Michael Williams' Triple Concerto has been premiered by the Opus Chamber Orchestra in Hamilton. We are fortunate that the New Zealand Chamber Soloists, who were the premier soloists, and who are colleagues of Michael's at Waikato University, are able to take part in these Readings as well."

[Rehearsal session run each day from 9:30-2:25, followed by a recorded play-through of the works for that day beginning at 2:45pm. A seminar session involving composers, conductor, performers and other interested parties will follow the Tuesday recording session. Observers are welcome: please contact SOUNZ for an invitation.]