Work

Programme Note

Lilburn was a student when he wrote Overture: Aotearoa. It was premiered in 1940, as part of the New Zealand Centennial Matinee at His Majesty’s Theatre in London. Although it did not receive its New Zealand premiere until 1959 it has since received numerous performances and several recordings. Described as a work of “unabashed optimism”, Lilburn noted that it had a, “freshness and exhilaration”.

Difficulty:

Advanced

Influences:

• Landscape - NZ

Performance History

	15 Apr 1940	Written for the New Zealand Centennial Matinee in London and first performed at His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, by the Sadlers Wells Orchestra conducted by Warwick Braithwaite
	20 Nov 1979	Performed by the NZSO, conductor Michi Inoue
	11 Oct 1997	Performed by the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Sewell, in Mansfield, Ohio, USA.
		Andrew Sewell
	20 Nov 1998	Performed by the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Sewell, in Toledo, Ohio, USA.
		Andrew Sewell
	14 Oct 2000	Performed by the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Sewell, in Wichita, Kansas, USA.
		Andrew Sewell
	23 Feb 2008	Performed by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir William Southgate
		Christchurch Symphony
	28 Mar 2008	Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, 28 March 2008
		New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
	04 Apr 2008	Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen at the Auckland Town Hall, 4 April 2008
		New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
	09 Apr 2008	Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen at the Dunedin Town Hall, 9 April 2008
		New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
	10 Apr 2008	Performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pietari Inkinen at the Christchurch Town Hall, 10 April 2008
		New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
	28 Jun 2009	Performed by Wellington Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Michael Joel at the St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington
		Michael Joel
	27 Mar 2010	Performed by the Nelson Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mick Dowrick, in the Nelson School of Music Auditorium
	16 May 2010	Performed by the Wellington Youth Orchestra, conducted by Greg Squire, in the Wellington Town Hall as part of their 50th Anniversary Concert.
		Wellington Youth Orchestra
	19 Jun 2010	Performed by the Manukau Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ivan Meylemans (Belgium) in the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre.
		Manukau Symphony Orchestra
	16 Sep 2010	Broadcast of recording from “Sound Barrier” performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Kenneth Young as part “Kiwi Tracks” on Hawaii Public Radio
		Kenneth Young    New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
	28 Jan 2011	Performed by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra with conductor Grant Cooper
		Grant Cooper
	29 Jan 2011	Performed by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra with conductor Grant Cooper
		Grant Cooper
	26 Mar 2011	Performed by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra with conductor Tom Wood at the Christchurch Town Hall, in Christchurch
		Christchurch Symphony
	23 Mar 2012	Performed by the Opus Orchestra, conducted by Peter Walls, at the Gallagher Theatre, Hamilton.
	24 Mar 2012	Performed by the Opus Orchestra, conducted by Peter Walls, at the Civic Theatre, Rotorua.
	25 Mar 2012	Performed by the Opus Orchestra, conducted by Peter Walls, at the Great Lakes Centre, Taupo.