Benjamin Northey – Chief Conductor
Helen Webby – Harp
Respighi – Ancient Airs and Dances (Suite No.3)
Dohnányi – Concertino for harp & chamber orchestra
Mozart – Symphony No 35 (Haffner)

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra strings pull the audience back into 17th century Italy and France with Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances. Despite being from 1931, Respighi transcribed old melodies and dance styles that make this work equally fitting for an ornate French Court ballroom. Hungarian composer Ernst von Dohnányi emigrated to the United States after World War Two, and his gentle and very French-inspired Harp Concertino was premiered in Tallahassee shortly after he settled in his new home.

Mozart’s father wrote to him in 1782 requesting a symphony for their friend Sigmund Haffner, a wealthy Salzburg merchant who was about to receive a noble title and needed music for the occasion. Mozart replied with “well, I am up to my eyes in work […] I must just spend the night over it, for that is the only way,” but the high-spirited symphony that eventuated was a resounding success.

**We’re keen to keep our musicians safe and the music playing in 2023, so we strongly encourage mask wearing at all concerts.**