NZ Herald Premier Series: Zarathustra

Conductor: Giordano Bellincampi
Cello: Julian Steckel

Mozart: Symphony No.29
Haydn: Cello Concerto No.1
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra

Although born a generation apart, Mozart and Haydn were dear friends and these two pieces are well paired. One of Mozart’s sunniest symphonies bounces off Haydn’s cheerful concerto, played by the outstanding cellist Julian Steckel.

Then Strauss’s huge tone-poem. It is best known for that music in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but there’s much more to it than that, including some seriously glorious music for the strings and a sparkling solo for the concertmaster. It is a piece that offers Maestro Bellincampi and the APO a chance to really shine.