All-star line-up for monumental NZSO tour

An Israeli-Palestinian piano virtuoso, a rising soprano star and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will join forces for a national concert tour marking the return of NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen next month.

Apotheosis reunites Pietari Inkinen with the NZSO for the first time since their acclaimed 2010 international tour, and features Saleem Abboud Ashkar performing Beethoven’s monumental “Emperor” Piano Concerto. The concerts are tipped to be a highlight of the orchestra’s 2011 season.

Saleem Abboud Ashkar was born in Nazareth and began playing aged six, when his father traded a car for a piano. He made his Carnegie Hall debut aged 22 and has since worked with the world’s leading orchestras and conductors, including his mentor Daniel Barenboim.

Performing Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto will mark his New Zealand debut. He says the piece has exhilarated him since childhood and is an emotional experience to play.

“The more I know it, the more I’m in awe of it. It projects something bigger than you, and bigger than life. Beethoven, like no other composer, can give you the sense that time has stopped.”

In addition Pietari Inkinen continues his Mahler cycle with the NZSO, leading the orchestra in Mahler’s Fourth Symphony. The final movement is sung by New Zealand soprano Anna Leese, in the first major NZSO concert series of her career.

She says the piece evokes a child’s view of Heaven: “It’s Mahler trying to write his most beautiful music. I love it, it’s very sweet.”

Anna Leese won the 2002 Mobil Song Quest before making her Covent Garden debut aged just 25. She has since performed at the London Proms and toured internationally with José Carreras. Her voice has been described as “diamond clear” and “one in a million” by critics.

The programme also includes Processional Fanfare by renowned New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn.

Apotheosis in association with national tour partner Audi opens in Wellington on March 25 before visiting Hamilton, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch.

A free pre-concert talk begins 45 minutes before each performance. See www.nzso.co.nz for details.