Shakespeare in Music

Michal Dworzynski CONDUCTOR
Jack Liebeck VIOLIN

Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Dvořák Violin Concerto
Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet Suites – selected movements

Dvořák’s Violin Concerto may be less well known than its cello counterpart, but it’s no less glorious. From its orchestral fanfares and solo cadenzas, to the lively folk rhythms of the third movement, this marvellous work could be the highlight of this concert.  Except that it is matched with some of the most wonderful music in the orchestral repertoire, inspired by Shakespeare.

Young, British violinist Jack Liebeck will be making his APO début.  At the tender age of just over 30 he's been appointed Professor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music and last year was featured on Dario Marianelli's score for the feature film "Jane Eyre", he also has a Classica BRIT Award to his name.

Click here to see Jack Liebeck talking about his Brit Award.

“British violinist Jack Liebeck has in recent years been coming to the fore as a musician of exceptional gifts, blessed as he is with a glorious, mellifluous tone and interpretative insight.” –The Telegraph

Check out Jack Liebeck's website here

We are also delighted to welcome back Polish conductor Michal Dworzynski,  who is emerging as one of Europe’s most exciting conducting talents.

“Dworzynski is real firecracker of a conductor, a real energiser…” - Glasgow Herald

GREAT ORGAN CLASSICS

'Shakespeare in Music'  ticket holders are invited to attend a free, 30-minute organ recital at 6.30, before the pre-concert talk.

This week's organist is Nicholas Sutcliffe.

Born in Auckland, Nicholas Sutcliffe is currently Organist at Dilworth School for Boys, and Organist at St Cuthbert’s College for Girls. He is also in his final year as an undergraduate student at the University of Auckland studying Music—Harpsichord with James Tibbles, Organ with Dr. John Wells and Conducting with Dr. Karen Grylls.

In 2011, Nicholas won the New Zealand Association of Organists’ Organ Performance Competition. He was Organist & Director of Music at St Mark’s Anglican Church in Remuera from 2009-2011, having previously been Music Foundation Organ Scholar of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Auckland. He also held the LCM Saunders Choral Scholarship and is an ‘Alumnus cum Laude’ of the Cathedral Music Foundation for services to the Cathedral Choir over eight years.

Nicholas is also an active singer, having been a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir and Bass Section Leader of the New Zealand Youth Choir, directed by Dr Karen Grylls. Currently, Nicholas is a member of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir.

The programme:

Mendelssohn Organ Sonata No.3 in A major, op65 (i. Con moto maestoso ii. Andante tranquillo)

Bach Prelude and Fugue in C minor BWV 549

Mendelssohn 'War March of the Priests' from Athalie, Op74

Proudly supported by the Town Hall Organ Trust