CSO Lamb & Hayward Masterworks: Harris, Beethoven

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. 125

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.

Join us at 6.40pm in The Ron Ball Studio, Christchurch Town Hall for a pre-concert talk. Free for ticketholders.