Latest news with #BachMusicaNZ
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3 days ago
- Entertainment
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Bach Musica NZ Celebrate Local Talent With Two World Premieres
Press Release – Elephant Publicity returns to the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 21 September at 5pm with a presentation of world premieres by NZ composers, Gabor Tolnay, and Oliver Bramah in collaboration with Hēmi Kelly, and a selection of glorious repertoire by J.S. Bach, Barber, Vavilov and Ravel. Bach Musica NZ's Music & Artistic Director, Rita Paczian, will lead the concert as conductor, marking her second to last performance with the organisation following the recent announcement of her retirement at the end of this year. The concert will open with one of J.S. Bach's most famous cantatas for solo alto voice, Vergnügte Ruh, BWV 170, sung by NZ's leading countertenor, Stephen Diaz. The performance will continue with Barber's Adagio for Strings performed in its choral version, Agnus Dei, alongside the romantic Ave Maria by Vavilov, and Ravel's L'Aurore M. 45 sung in French by soprano, Gina Sanders. Bach Musica NZ are proud to present world premieres of two impressive works by award-winning New Zealand composers, Gabor Tolnay, and Oliver Bramah whose work has been written in collaboration with Hēmi Kelly (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa). Bramah and Kelly's work Kūī, Kūī (call of the bird) will be performed in te reo Māori on 21 September by Bach Musica NZ two days before the spring equinox, drawing on the tohu (sign) of the pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo), whose return marks the changing seasons. Tolnay's new orchestral piece Dawn at the Bay also captures the magnificence of Aotearoa's natural world, evoking the beautiful sunrise, birdsong and scenery of the remote Duncan Bay in the Marlborough Sounds. 'As ever, conductor Rita Paczian artfully and competently master-minded proceedings, driving her ensemble yet again to an overwhelming finale. They demonstrated another remarkable Bach Musica NZ characteristic: that of pronounced and assured artistic versatility.' – Rainer Buhmann, NZ Opera News Bach Musica NZ's full programme can be found here:
Scoop
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Bach Musica NZ Celebrate Local Talent With Two World Premieres
Bach Musica NZ returns to the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 21 September at 5pm with a presentation of world premieres by NZ composers, Gabor Tolnay, and Oliver Bramah in collaboration with Hēmi Kelly, and a selection of glorious repertoire by J.S. Bach, Barber, Vavilov and Ravel. Bach Musica NZ's Music & Artistic Director, Rita Paczian, will lead the concert as conductor, marking her second to last performance with the organisation following the recent announcement of her retirement at the end of this year. The concert will open with one of J.S. Bach's most famous cantatas for solo alto voice, Vergnügte Ruh, BWV 170, sung by NZ's leading countertenor, Stephen Diaz. The performance will continue with Barber's Adagio for Strings performed in its choral version, Agnus Dei, alongside the romantic Ave Maria by Vavilov, and Ravel's L'Aurore M. 45 sung in French by soprano, Gina Sanders. Bach Musica NZ are proud to present world premieres of two impressive works by award-winning New Zealand composers, Gabor Tolnay, and Oliver Bramah whose work has been written in collaboration with Hēmi Kelly (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa). Bramah and Kelly's work Kūī, Kūī (call of the bird) will be performed in te reo Māori on 21 September by Bach Musica NZ two days before the spring equinox, drawing on the tohu (sign) of the pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo), whose return marks the changing seasons. Tolnay's new orchestral piece Dawn at the Bay also captures the magnificence of Aotearoa's natural world, evoking the beautiful sunrise, birdsong and scenery of the remote Duncan Bay in the Marlborough Sounds. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading "As ever, conductor Rita Paczian artfully and competently master-minded proceedings, driving her ensemble yet again to an overwhelming finale. They demonstrated another remarkable Bach Musica NZ characteristic: that of pronounced and assured artistic versatility." – Rainer Buhmann, NZ Opera News Bach Musica NZ's full programme can be found here:
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Rita Paczian To Retire As Bach Musica NZ Music Director
Press Release – Elephant Publicity has announced the retirement of Rita Paczian from her position as Music & Artistic Director at the end of the 2025 season. Rita has been the driving force behind the organisation's high standard of musicianship for over 31 years. Her dedication, enthusiasm, drive, energy and passion for music have transformed the group to firmly establish its position in the New Zealand performing arts. A native of Germany, Rita became Bach Musica NZ's music director in 1994. She brought with her to New Zealand her outstanding qualifications as a conductor, singer, organist and harpsichordist, her love of historically informed Baroque and Classical interpretation and her high standards of musicianship. In her non-negotiable dedication to excellence, a particular hallmark of her style is the ability to meaningfully model and patiently coach musical phrasing. As she will retire at the end of the 2025 season, the Committee is actively seeking a replacement. Bach Musica NZ is the country's leading, combined vocal and choral ensemble. Performances range from Baroque through to modern. The organisation regularly supports emerging young vocal and instrumental talent as well as premiere performances of new compositions, providing an opportunity to perform with a world-class choir and orchestra. Audiences will still have the chance to see Rita with Bach Musica NZ's upcoming performances on Sunday 21 September and Sunday 7 December at the Auckland Town Hall. BACH MUSICA NZ 2025 PROGRAMME: World Premieres & Bach Sunday 21 September 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Gina Sanders Soprano Stephen Diaz Countertenor Best of Bach & Handel Sunday 7 December 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano Christie Cook Alto Iain Tetley Tenor James Harrison Baritone Content Sourced from Original url
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Rita Paczian To Retire As Bach Musica NZ Music Director
Bach Musica NZ has announced the retirement of Rita Paczian from her position as Music & Artistic Director at the end of the 2025 season. Rita has been the driving force behind the organisation's high standard of musicianship for over 31 years. Her dedication, enthusiasm, drive, energy and passion for music have transformed the group to firmly establish its position in the New Zealand performing arts. A native of Germany, Rita became Bach Musica NZ's music director in 1994. She brought with her to New Zealand her outstanding qualifications as a conductor, singer, organist and harpsichordist, her love of historically informed Baroque and Classical interpretation and her high standards of musicianship. In her non-negotiable dedication to excellence, a particular hallmark of her style is the ability to meaningfully model and patiently coach musical phrasing. As she will retire at the end of the 2025 season, the Committee is actively seeking a replacement. Bach Musica NZ is the country's leading, combined vocal and choral ensemble. Performances range from Baroque through to modern. The organisation regularly supports emerging young vocal and instrumental talent as well as premiere performances of new compositions, providing an opportunity to perform with a world-class choir and orchestra. Audiences will still have the chance to see Rita with Bach Musica NZ's upcoming performances on Sunday 21 September and Sunday 7 December at the Auckland Town Hall. BACH MUSICA NZ 2025 PROGRAMME: World Premieres & Bach Sunday 21 September 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Gina Sanders Soprano Stephen Diaz Countertenor Best of Bach & Handel Sunday 7 December 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano Christie Cook Alto Iain Tetley Tenor James Harrison Baritone
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29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Bach Musica NZ Present An Evening Of Mozart And C.P.E. Bach In June
Press Release – Elephant Publicity Join the renowned Bach Musica NZ, New Zealand's leading combined choir and orchestra, at the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday 22 June for an evening of exquisite performance with Mozart's Piano Concerto in D minor & C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat. The June concert welcomes young award-winning pianist, Madeleine Xiao, as soloist in Mozart's famous Piano Concerto in D minor. Madeleine began learning the piano at age five. At just 16, she went on to study a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland. She won 3rd place at the National Concerto Competition in 2023 and received the Royal Overseas League Pettman Scholarship in 2024. In the second half of the concert, Bach Musica NZ's chorus and orchestra present the 45-minute glorious Magnificat by C.P.E. Bach, the gifted son of J.S. Bach. They are joined by vocal soloists Joanna Foote (soprano), 2024 Lexus Song Quest winner Katie Trigg (alto), Taliai Fifita (tenor) and Edward Laurenson (baritone). This concert is conducted by Bach Musica NZ's Music & Artistic Director, Rita Paczian. 'Mozart and Bach will forever remain two of the greatest composers, and that includes the gifted son Carl Philip Emanuel. His Magnificat is magnificent!' says Paczian. Bach Musica NZ also continue their popular workshop series, with their Sight-Reading Workshop on Saturday 17 May and Singing Workshop on Saturday 1 November. All ages and skill levels are welcome. 'Bach Musica NZ offers a great shout of joy. With a lively Rita Paczian on harpsichord, surrounded by her string players, Bach's Gloria opened with a high celebration and ended with another, chorus and full orchestra giving their considerable all.' – William Dart, NZ Herald Mozart Piano Concerto in D minor & C.P.E. Bach Magnificat Sunday 22 June 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Madeleine Xiao Piano Joanna Foote Soprano Katie Trigg Alto Taliai Fifita Tenor Edward Laurenson Baritone Content Sourced from Original url
