Christchurch Symphony Orchestra presents “Beethoven’s 5th”

Christchurch Symphony Orchestra presents “Beethoven’s 5th” on Saturday 14th October 2023, 7.30 p.m. in Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, Christchurch Town Hall, Kilmore Street, Christchurch

Brahms wrote his Academic Festival Overture when he received an honorary doctorate in 1879. Using the largest orchestral forces of any of his works, he cheekily interspersed a number of student melodies into the work, including the ceremonial classic Gaudeamus igitur.

Auckland-based musical pairing of composer Leonie Holmes and pianist Stephen De Pledge premiere Holmes’ new Piano Concerto. De Pledge has been described as having a “laid-back, let-me[1]entertain-you manner” coupled with an innate ability to communicate with audiences through the keyboard.

The first four notes of Beethoven’s 5th are arguably the most recognisable of the entire classical repertoire – the “da da da dum” motif, that has been said to depict fate knocking at the door. Moving beyond the famous opening, the listener meets a composer whose rapidly deteriorating hearing has only further motivated him to deepen his compositional language.

Umberto Clerici – Conductor
Stephen De Pledge – Piano
Brahms – Academic Festival Overture
Leonie Holmes – Piano Concerto (world premiere)
Beethoven – Symphony No 5