The Auckland Youth Orchestra presents an exciting symphony concert. Experience the thrill of 75 talented young musicians (ages 14-26) performing together with energy, precision and passion.
The concert opens with a short, gentle work for strings by Finland’s most famous composer, Sibelius. The music evokes images of the natural wonders of his country – those of mountains, rivers and forests.
Up next is young oboist Alex Wu, performing Vaughan Williams’ oboe concerto. This masterpiece for oboe treats the listener to glorious melodies, with the lively final movement seeing the soloist’s fingers flying over the instrument!
Having been lulled by the delightfully lyrical, pastoral music of the first half of the concert, the audience is assured of drama and passion after the interval with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s famous 6th symphony – the “Pathétique”. From the moody bassoon solo of the opening bars to the dramatic, solemn closing bars from the strings, this emotion-packed work draws an impassioned performance from these outstanding young musicians.
Don’t miss this concert, which promises to be a thrilling afternoon for all who attend. Secure your seats in advance by purchasing your tickets online. Door sales with EFTPOS available.
The Artists:
Oboe Soloist - Alex Wu
Alex has won competition awards in both the Australian and New Zealand Double Reed Societies and he has also been successful in chamber music competitions. Alex was selected as an NZSO Emerging Young Artist Soloist and Performed the 3rd movement of the Haydn Oboe Concerto with the NZSO. In December last year, he won the 2024 AYO Soloist Competition with his performance of the Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto.
Music Director - Antun Poljanich
Antun was born in Croatia. Following post-graduate studies in Austria, he won a scholarship to Leningrad for a three-year Master Course in Conducting at the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. Antun has since worked with the Leningrad State Symphony Orchestra, the Veneto Philharmonia, the Slovene and Croatian National Orchestras and other prominent orchestras in Russia and Europe. He has been AYO’s Music Director since 1999.
Auckland Youth Orchestra
AYO is a full symphony orchestra comprised of 75 of Auckland's most talented young musicians (ages 14-26). AYO has been training young people in the skills of orchestral playing for over 75 years and many players go on to develop careers as professional musicians.