Christchurch Symphony Orchestra | Ligeti, Harris, Artie Shaw, Dvořák

Carlo Antonioli | Conductor
Julian Bliss | Soloist

Ligeti | Romanian Concerto
Ross Harris | Clarinet Concerto (world premiere)
Artie Shaw | Clarinet Concerto
Dvořák | Symphony No. 8 in G Major Op. 88

We welcome two international guests to CSO for the first time: conductor Carlo Antonioli, 2023 Assistant Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra who is rapidly establishing himself across Australia; and versatile British clarinettist Julian Bliss.

This concert puts the clarinet on display, with the world premiere of a new clarinet concerto by Aotearoa composer Ross Harris written especially for our soloist; paired with the toe-tapping Clarinet Concerto of famous 1930s American jazz clarinettist and band leader Artie Shaw.

Audiences are also treated to music by two composers who had a great affinity with the folk music of their respective regions. Dvořák wrote nine symphonies, with much of his music infused with the flavours of Czech folk music – his bubbly eighth symphony from 1889 will conjure up a birdfilled forest walk near Dvořák’s country home. Fast-forward 60 years to György Ligeti’s Romanian Concerto, which brings to life a range of Romanian folk music that Ligeti loved, through instrumental colours and lively rhythms.