American to the Core

Eckehard Stier CONDUCTOR
Ragna Schirmer PIANO

Bernstein Candide: Overture
Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
Corigliano Symphony No.1

A concert that displays the emotion, excitement, and variety of 20th century American music.

APO Music Director Eckehard Stier believes the performance of John Corigliano's Symphony will be extremely moving, "I have just started with preparation for this performance of the Symphony. After one run through I am absolutely shocked and touched by the music. This performance will be the most emotional performance for Auckland in 2012. You can only compare this emotional depth with Elektra - but the opera is only "a story".  Corigliano's Symphony is a picture of a real tragedy and an amazing description of our souls."

One of his friends said that:

"This music was the deepest musical experience I ever had. I did not know if I should cry, scream or leave the hall. I felt a ring around my chest and it was breathtaking"

Corigliano's Symphony No.1 is a powerful work, written to commemorate victims of AIDS. Corigliano was inspired to write the symphony after seeing one of the famed AIDS Memorial Quilts, and structured his work accordingly. In the same way that each panel on a Quilt represents a person claimed by the disease, so each of the first three movements of the symphony represents a friend Corigliano lost to AIDS.  In that spirit, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is honoured to display sections of the New Zealand AIDS Memorial Quilt at this concert.

Click here to hear John Corigliano explain the thinking behind this symphony.

Ragna Schirmer, hailed as one of the most extraordinary pianists of her generation, performs Gershwin’s Piano Concerto.  From its percussive opening, bold brassy lines and jazzy and haunting piano – this concerto is Gershwin and America to the core.

"Schirmer again proves herself to be a stylish and accomplished artist — she's a keyboard-stroker, not hitter — producing a rich, organ-like sonority from the Steinway." – Gramophone.

Click here to see Ragna Schirmer perform Chopin Etudes op.10