1 Nov 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Bach Musica NZ - Gig Review: Bach Musica NZ @ Auckland Town Hall - 14/04/2024

15 Apr 2024 // A review by LouClementine
The historic setting of Auckland Town Hall, with its long and celebrated history of live music, was the ideal location for Bach Musica NZ. This was the first of a program of performances taking place throughout the year and bringing to the stage some favourite classical music pieces. Three hundred years after it was composed, Bach’s appeal is broad and devoted.

His musical brilliance retains its emotional appeal and for me, it evokes sheer joy. I can remove the religious connotations from its intention, and I'm left with powerful, moving and transcendent music. I arrived in a bustling and frenetic scene as patrons busied themselves for the 5’o’clock show. I was sat a few feet away from the stage. I could almost feel the breeze from the instruments. There was nothing like coming face to face with an orchestra and the unfolding layers of the sound of the choir.

All clad in black Bach Musica NZ’s, violins, cellos and double bass players were close to the front of the stage. The orchestra sat poised while a few latecomers took their places. The lights stayed up. There was a moment of complete silence before the emergence and a round of applause for the dynamic entrance of the conductor, Rita Paczian. Vibrantly dressed in a silver sparkling jacket, there was a little magic to her enthusiastic performance. The opening notes to Brandenburg Concerto No 3 began. It brought the audience together into a concentration and composure demanded by the pace and thrill of this fabulous work. We can watch films at home, we can listen to music on speakers, but this sort of music's complexities, elegance and effect are a million times intensified live, in a venue built for music.

Bach Musica NZ perform a variety of music, spanning the Baroque to contemporary classical music. They have an international repertoire. Tonight, it was all about Baroque – Bach is the classic of the classical, but if you think you’ve heard it before and not seen it live, then there’s every chance you are missing out on the genius of the music. Throughout the night characterful solo parts for singers and instrumentalists combined with blazing ensemble climaxes and caused raucous sustained applause. We all just really enjoyed it. Catch Bach Musica with the next instalment, Dvorak, and the idyll-evoking Vaughan Williams’, The Lark Ascending. As the dark evenings of Winter arrive this is sure to offer an opportunity for energy-lifting entertainment.


Photo Credit: Joe Photography
Bach Musica NZ Gallery

 

About Bach Musica NZ

Bach Musica NZ is one of New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed musical organisations. Their goal is to touch lives through music, and to keep classical music relevant, exciting and accessible for everyone. They are made up of a professional orchestra and a semi-professional choir performing at the highest level, led by internationally acclaimed conductor Rita Paczian. They perform four concerts annually in the Auckland Town Hall, each of which encompasses a thoughtfully curated mix of orchestral and choral works to ensure that there is something for everyone. Additionally, their engaging and popular musical education workshops on sight-reading, singing and conducting are open to all ages and levels.

Bach Musica NZ is an established and vital part of New Zealand's social and cultural fabric. Their Vision, “music that touches the soul”, is at the core of their work and informs all that they do. Music, and access to music, can be powerful and life changing – it provides opportunities and inspiration for emerging and established performers, brings people together, and creates a strong sense of community pride to be part of something beautiful. Their performances illustrate the cultural vibrancy of New Zealand, showcasing music from New Zealand and all over the world, presenting world premieres and well-loved favourites, contemporary and past works, complex arrangements and simple melodies. Bach Musica NZ musicians come from a range of backgrounds, reflecting the diversity and strength of New Zealand society, and how music can bring together people from many different heritages in the creation of something powerful and new.

In touching the souls of many, Bach Musica NZ hopes to shape a better future through the universal language of music.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Bach Musica NZ

Releases

There are no releases to display for Bach Musica NZ.

Other Reviews By LouClementine

Gig Review: Carb on Carb @ Wine Cellar, Auckland - 17/05/2024
19 May 2024 // by LouClementine
Carb On Carb took to the Wine Cellar stage in Auckland on Friday night to showcase their album Take Time which was released on the same day, 17 May, 2024. As soon as I heard this band I instantly thought they would be amazing live, and I wasn’t wrong.
Read More...
Gig Review: Tess Liautaud @ Wine Cellar, Auckland - 4/05/2024
06 May 2024 // by LouClementine
Otautahi-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Tess Liautaud took to the stage of the Wine Cellar, a basement venue, on Karangahape Road, on an autumnal Saturday evening. Tonight was the Tamaki Makaurau show of her nine-date nationwide Gold Digger tour.
Read More...
Festival Review: The Others Way @ Auckland - 01/12/2023
02 Dec 2023 // by LouClementine
Music venue haven that Karangahape Road is, it’s the perfect location for a festival takeover. Stopping short of closing the main street The Others Way festival seeks to fill every venue, at times simultaneously, with music.
Read More...
Gig Review: Ebony Lamb @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 10/11/2023
12 Nov 2023 // by LouClementine
Singer songwriter Ebony Lamb treated the tightly packed Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau crowd to a night of new music from her self-titled debut solo album. The gig was part of a seven-date Aotearoa tour which began October 27th, and finished in Paekakariki on Saturday, November 11th.
Read More...
Gig Review: Princess Chelsea @ Neck Of The Woods, Auckland - 19/10/2023
20 Oct 2023 // by LouClementine
Princess Chelsea began her international Everything Is Going To Be Alright tour, at Neck of the Woods in Auckland with a full house on Thursday 19 October. Bringing her 2022 album of the same title in its entirety to the stage, with her band Jasmine Balmer, Joshua Worthington-Church, David Harris, Joe Kaptein, Kate Tindall, and Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent.
Read More...
Gig Review: Clementine Valentine @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 16/09/2023
16 Sep 2023 // by LouClementine
Clementine Valentine took to the Whammy stage in Auckland on the fourth and final date of their nationwide album release tour. Their new album entitled The Coin That Broke The Fountain Floor, was released through Flying Nun Records in August 2023.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sofia Machray @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 19/08/2023
21 Aug 2023 // by LouClementine
Sofia Machray brought her Language of Flowers show, the last of a five-night nationwide tour, to Whammy Bar in Auckland. Machray has recently released her debut 6-track EP and tonight was the premier of her music for Tamaki Makarau.
Read More...
Gig Review: Tom Lark @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 5/08/2023
07 Aug 2023 // by LouClementine
Tom Lark recently brought his Brave Star tour to Tamaki Makarau along with his band and support from K M T P. Lark has been absent from both touring and releasing music for a number of years.
Read More...
View All Articles By LouClementine

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem