CSO Lamb & Hayward Masterworks presents “Harris, Beethoven”
November 8 @ 7:30 pm
CSO Lamb & Hayward Masterworks presents “Harris, Beethoven” on Saturday 8th November 2025, 7.30 p.m. in the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, Christchurch Town Hall, Kilmore Street, Christchurch
The Lamb & Hayward Masterworks season finale takes us from dark into the light. We bring you the world premiere of Aotearoa composer Ross Harris’ Symphony No. 8 for strings and percussion, written as a musical response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the devastation that has followed. A dark string lament is punctured by violent instrumental outcries, but it is a symphony not without hopeful moments of melodic beauty.
This concert pairing speaks to the world in which we live, while harking back to a world where hope was brought to life through music. Beethoven’s grand ninth symphony features the famous choral finale, with text from Friedrich Schiller’s poem, Ode to Joy, which speaks to the triumph of human unity.
With thanks to PKF Goldsmith Fox,
CSO Soloist Partner, and Young Hunter Lawyers, CSO Chorus Partner.
Benjamin Northey Chief Conductor
Rhiannon Cooper Soprano
Ashlyn Tymms Alto
Ridge Ponini Tenor
Samuel McKeever Bass
Rachel Fuller Chorus Director
Catrin Johnsson Chorus Director
CSO Chorus
Ross Harris Symphony No. 8
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor Op. 12