NZSO Launches Play Our Part

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra today launches an online series Play Our Part in response to the COVID-19 restrictions. Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen and Section Principals along with pianist Stephen De Pledge will present a selection of classical music beginning tonight, Wednesday 25 March at 7:30pm.

With this unprecedented black-out of performances due to the COVID-19 virus, classical music has joined the movement to present music for their audiences online.  Teaming up with Wellington-based audio visual company Latitude Creative, the NZSO’s programme can be viewed free at nzso.co.nz/live at 7.30pm.  

The programme will include J S Bach’s Goldberg Variations; Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings prologue and other selections. Joining Leppänen will be cellist Andrew Joyce, harpist Carolyn Mills, flautist Bridget Douglas and others. 

Stephen De Pledge (Photo: Jack Liebeck)

NZSO Interim Chief Executive Peter Biggs says:

“Music remains a vital force at this time.  It can bring us together and lift our spirits.  While NZSO players and staff are at home they’ll still be active, technology means we can still connect”.

Vesa-Matti Leppänen

Play Our Part programme 

CAROLYN MILLS, Section Principal Harp
JS BACH arr. Carolyn Mills – Goldberg Variations I. Aria

VESA-MATTI LEPPÄNEN, Concertmaster
JS BACH – Violin Partita No.2 in D minor III. Sarabande, IV. Gigue

ANDREW JOYCE, Section Principal Cello
Traditional arr. Andrew Joyce – El cant dels ocells

BRIDGET DOUGLAS, Section Principal Flute
JS BACH – Partita in A Minor for Solo Flute III. Sarabande, IV. Bourrée anglaise

STEPHEN DE PLEDGE, Guest Soloist Fortepiano
JS BACH – Goldberg Variations I. Aria

Samuel Jacobs, Section Principal Horn
Britten – Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings I. Prologue

Play Our Part will premiere for free at nzso.co.nz/live 7.30pm tonight and can be viewed via smart TV, mobile phone, tablet or computer.