International violin star Janine Jansen debuts in NZ 25 Feb 2015
Related articles
25 February 2015 - NZSO Media Release for immediate release
International violin star Janine Jansen debuts in New Zealand
Dutch violin star Janine Jansen teams up with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in her debut New Zealandperformance of Tchaikovsky’s famous Violin Concerto.
One of the most difficult and well-known violin concertos ever written, Piotr Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece features fiery cadenzas and heartfelt melodies. Composed in 1878, in the wake of an intensely traumatic time in Tchaikovsky’s life, it is a real surprise that this concerto is so sunny in its disposition. Just one year earlier, the great Russian composer tried to take his own life by walking into the freezing Moscow River. In an attempt to save him, his brother took him to Italy where he was introduced to Lalo’sSymphonie espagnole for violin and orchestra. Deeply inspired, the draft for Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was finished 11 days later. Within one month, the entire concerto had been orchestrated, revised, and completed.
The problem was, no one could play it. Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto requires an incredible feat of virtuosity and it is little wonder that the original violinist, who the work was dedicated to, declined to perform it. Leopold Auer’s first reaction to the work was one of complete disbelief. Following its deceptively warm and inviting introduction, the concerto quickly turns into a display of exceptional dexterity for the soloist. An unconventionally placed cadenza, in the middle of the first movement rather than the end, is a stroke of genius but a true test of skill for the violinist.
Janine Jansen is a perfect fit for such a soulful and technically demanding concerto. Acclaimed for her pure, silvery tone and the lyrical beauty of her playing, she has received shining reviews for her appearances with prestigious international orchestras like the Royal Concertgebouw and the New York Philharmonic. Overwhelming her audiences with deeply felt and inspiringly virtuosic performances, Jansen is one of the most exciting soloists of her generation, in complete command of her 1727 Stradivarius violin.
Teaming up with Swedish conductor (and husband) Daniel Blendulf, expect an intimate performance full of passion and incredible skill. Known for his confident and graceful style, Blendulf’s youthful and passionate interpretations will bring magic to this evening of great works.
It is a night for the Russians. Completing the programme is the Russian folk fantasy Anatoly Liadov’s The Enchanted Lake, and Sergey Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, written in wartime as a tribute to the human spirit.
Composed in just one month in 1944, Prokofiev described his Symphony No. 5 as the “culminating point of my creative life. I imagine the Symphony as the expression of the grandeur of the human spirit”. Composed in the Soviet Union, after a long self-inflicted exile in Western Europe and the USA, it would come to symbolise the eventual Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.
Throughout the Symphony Prokofiev has proved himself not only a master of orchestral colour but of intriguing and dramatic rhythms. The extent of Prokofiev’s lyrical inventiveness is dazzling, the listener constantly stumbles upon snippets of new ideas, and the Symphony’s heroic energy is instantly appealing. Immediately popular, it has become one of the great orchestral works of the 20th century – a hymn to “free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit.” (Prokofiev)
Opening the concert is Liadov’s atmospheric tone poem The Enchanted Lake. Prokofiev, who was taught by Liadov at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, assessed that his “most remarkable feature” was his “laziness”. But his tone poem The Enchanted Lakeevokes anything but laziness. Inspired by the folk stories of his homeland, this impressionistic soundscape creates a shimmering atmosphere, evoking stars reflected in gently lapping water.
Composed in 1908, The Enchanted Lake was inspired by Lake Ilmen, south of St Petersburg. Liadov was transfixed by the scene he saw, writing:
How purely picturesque it is – with bountiful stars over the mysteries in the depths! But most importantly it is uninhabited, without entreaties and complaints; only nature – cold, malevolent, but fantastic as a fairy tale.
Celebrate the music of three Russian masters and one of the great stars of the violin world in a spellbinding display of virtuosity and orchestral verve. Experience Janine Jansen plays Tchaikovsky, in association withCrowne Plaza Auckland.
ENDS
Attached imagery features violinist Janine Jansen. Please credit accordingly.
For further information or
interviews, please contact:
Janina
Hanify | Publicity & Communications
Manager
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra |
Te Tira Puoro o Aotearoa
P +64 4 801 2037 Ext. 722; M +64 275 745
294
E [email protected]
NZSO:
Janine Jansen plays Tchaikovsky
The Violin
Concerto
In association with CROWNE
PLAZA AUCKLAND
Daniel Blendulf
CONDUCTOR
Janine Jansen
VIOLIN
LIADOV The
Enchanted Lake
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin
Concerto
PROKOFIEV Symphony No.
5
AUCKLAND / Town Hall / Friday 27 March
/ 7.00 pm
TICKETMASTER / 0800 111 999 / TICKETMASTER.CO.NZ
WELLINGTON
/ Michael Fowler Centre / Saturday 28 March /
7.30pm
TICKETEK / 0800 842 538 / TICKETEK.CO.NZ
PRE-CONCERT TALK: Janina Hanify, NZSO Publicity and Communications Manager, will speak at the free pre-concert talks inside the venues, 45 minutes prior to each concert.
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more