Proms 2016

St James Church, Lower Hutt. Saturday, 19 Nov.

Conductor Brent Stewart

This concert was enjoyed by a large audience despite the recent Kaikoura earthquake. In the first half we played three movements from Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. A highlight was the moving horn solo played by Caryl Stannard. The Imperial March from Star Wars set the scene for a completely different second half. Following the beautiful Donzettie aria sung by Pasquale Orchard, there was enthusiastic audience participation in the proms favourites such as the Fantasia on British Sea Songs. The concert concluded with Arturo Marquez Danzon no 2 with piano soloist Thomas Nikora. The rhythmic qualities of this Brazilian piece made it an apt final piece for Brent Stewart. But there was one more surprise piece for Brent to conduct as he was farewelled after 10 years with HVO. The orchestra gradually departed from the stage as Pasquale sang "So Long Farewell" from The Sound of Music arranged by Lynne Scott.