PAST CONCERTS
REVIEW OF MARCH 2023 CONCERT
Violin Brilliance from Andrew Beer
The first concert of the 2023 season, fluently conducted by Brent Stewart,and confidently led by Simon Ansell, had more than a hint of the exotic with Saint Saens’ Havanaise Op 80 and Henryk Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No 2, played with impeccable brilliance by Andrew Beer.
REVIEW OF OCTOBER 2022 CONCERT
Spellbinding Elgar Cello Concerto
SMCO's final concert of the season was a huge success for the players, soloist Catherine Kwak and conductor David Kay. As well as Elgar's Cello Concerto and Engima Variations, it also featured works by NZ composers Anthony Ritchie and Louise Webster
REVIEW OF SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCERT
Helene Pohl in Outstanding Form
Michael Joel, the SMCO’s musical director, always a favourite with both orchestra and audiences, was conductor of September’s hugely popular programme. Rachel Moxham led the orchestra with style and verve, and Helene Pohl gave a stellar performance as the soloist in the Beethoven Violin Concerto
REVIEW OF AUGUST 2022 CONCERT
Brilliant Sylvia Jiang in the Grieg Piano Concerto
The concerto was a tour de force for Jiang and the orchestra and Jiang fully deserved the standing ovation. What a privilege to have Jiang back in New Zealand during a summer break from her studies at the Juilliard School of Music in New York