An evening of Tchaikovsky

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32959, 4 July 1972, Page 10

An evening of Tchaikovsky

A Tchaikovsky programme is planned for the second concert in the Christchurch Civic Orchestra’s subscription series, to be given on Saturday in the Civic Theatre.

The three works are representative of three stages in the composer’s life. “Romeo and Juliet,” a fan-tasy-overture based on the Shakespeare play, comes from the composer’s youth, when he had established most characteristic facets of his style, but was still influenced by Balakirev. The Violin Concerto, next on the programme, was written when Tchaikowsky was 38, and in the full powers of his maturity.

The Sixth Symphony, the "Pathetique” completes the programme. Written in the last year of Tchaikowsky’s life, and first performed only two weeks before he died, it is regarded by many commentators as the composer’s anticipation of death. Juan Matteucci will once again conduct the orchestra, and the soloist will be the Australian violinist, Ronald Woodcock. Mr Woodcock won the sonata section of the 1953 Munich International Competition, and has since toured the world, giving solo recitals in many musical centres. He has appeared as soloist with the Boyd Neel Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony, the Melbourne Symphony, the Western Australian Symphony, and other orchestras.