Vector Wellington Orchestra: Houstoun Plays Rachmaninov

Haydn Symphony No 44 "Trauer"
Rachmaninov Piano concerto No 2
Schmidt Symphony No 4

Marc Taddei - conductor
Michael Houstoun - piano

Haydn’s “mourning” symphony is among his best known. Written in 1772 during his Sturm und Drang (“storm and stress”) period, its dramatic contrasts and high emotion make it one of his most operatic works. An old favourite that never fails to stir the emotions, Rachmaninov’s great Piano Concerto finds a powerful champion in Michael Houstoun. Austro-Hungarian composer Franz Schmidt called his Fourth Symphony “a requiem for my daughter”. It’s a monumental yet tightly-woven work, full of lush harmonies and bittersweet melodies. Schmidt’s links with his teacher Bruckner and his colleague Mahler are evident, but this neglected masterpiece shows his own unique Romantic voice.

“For our gala final concert, I have chosen three masterpieces. Haydn’s 44th is sublime and Houstoun is always an inspirational colleague. Schmidt’s 4th Symphony, unjustly buried by the vagaries of history, is one of the greatest of the 20th century. I am proud to present the New Zealand premiere of this tremendous work.” – Marc Taddei, Music Director