Russian star to lead NZSO for historic symphony

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will play history’s most defiant symphony under the leadership of a fiery Russian conducting star when it tours its Leningrad concert series in August.

Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony remains a symbol of heroic World War Two resistance. The composer finished the work while trapped in the city of Leningrad during the German Army’s deadly siege, in which more than one and a half million people died.

The symphony was played over loudspeakers to the city’s blockaded and starving people, becoming synonymous with their powerful instinct to endure disaster and survive.

The NZSO performances in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be led by the Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Vasily Petrenko, on his debut tour of New Zealand.

The 34-year-old is credited with ushering in “a golden age” at the Liverpool orchestra. He was born in Leningrad (today’s St Petersburg) and is acclaimed for his passionate interpretation of Russian repertoire.

In 2010 Petrenko was named Young Artist of the Year at the Classical BRIT Awards. He will lead the Oslo Philharmonic as their Chief Conductor in 2013.

Proudly supported by The Radio Network, the NZSO Leningrad tour also features New Zealand’s leading concert pianist Michael Houstoun performing Rachmaninov’s rarely-played Fourth Piano Concerto.

The Timaru-born pianist is among this country’s most distinguished classical musicians and was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Victoria University earlier this year.

The NZSO will perform in Christchurch as part of the Christchurch Arts Festival.