Zagreb Philharmonic: Music for the People
Vox Glas Zadra: The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra – Enticement for the Audience
Vox Glas Zadra reported at length on the successful guest-performing of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra in Zadar at a concert "From Bach to Lennon", under conductor Michael Woods. In the introduction, the author Silvija Romić stated: "A concert by the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra has always been an enticement for audiences, which was definitely the case with their guest-performing at the Croatian National Theatre in Zadar on Friday. The Zadar audience came to the concert of this renowned Croatian ensemble in large numbers".
By Silvija Romic
Concerts by the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra have always been a magnet for the public, and such was the case during its performances in the Croatian National Theaters in Zagreb and Zadar. Citizens came in large numbers to watch this renowned Croatian ensemble, this time conducted by guest-conductor, Michael Woods.
The concert was titled “From Bach to Lennon”, and it was clear that the repertoire was not going to be limited only to classical music, but that it would include modern music arranged for the orchestra as well. Woods is a director who is gaining his reputation by conducting concerts of generally non-typical classical music. Therefore, it is not surprising that the concert in Zadar contained a selection of the most famous film music as well as some classical pieces.
The excellent overture of the concert was from “Superman” by John Williams, the composer that was largely represented in the musical repertoire. From a large Wiliams’ opus of film music, audience members had the opportunity to hear two segments from the movies “Star Wars” – “Battle of the Heroes from Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith” and “Across the Stars: Love theme of Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones”, as well as the well known melody ”March from Raiders of the Lost Ark”.
All in all, it was an evening of “musical specialties”, especially for the lovers of film music. There was also some music from “Rocky” – “Going the Distance” by Bill Conti. Apart from film music, the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra under Woods, did an orchestral rendition of “Ticket to Ride” by the Beatles. Unusual was the Variations of “Hey Jude”.
To satisfy the classical music lovers, there were a few pieces by Handel, such as ”Arrival of the Queen of Sheba” from “Solomon”, Mozart’s “Allegro Molto” from the symphony no. 40 in g-mol K550, Grieg's “Morning” from the Peer Gynt Suite. Bach was not forgotten either, nor was a famous closing melody from “William Tell” by Rossini.
The concert concluded with orchestral version of the traditional Australian song “Waltzing Matilda”. However, that wasn’t the end of the evening, because there were two encores with the Traditional Jazz music: "South Rampart Street Parade“. The audience members gave great applause and several ovations for the orchestra and Michael Woods. After these excellent concerts, we need to conclude that it would be a real refreshment to have more evenings devoted to this film and pops music.
Bucharest Sinfonia - Sala "George Enescu" - Mozart Festival Google translation of Romanian original
Michael Woods - a conductor of great success - for the second time in Romania
News | Time: 09:22 | Date: 29. 11. 2010
Australian conductor Michael Woods made his second visit to Romania at the invitation of maestro Florin Totan, Musical Director of Bucharest Sinfonia Orchestra and Chef Conductor of the Filarmonica Valcea.
Michael Woods conducted on Sunday evening at the Universitatea Nationala de Muzica Bucaresti, Sala “George Enescu”, a Mozart Festival, which took the program Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, Concerto No.3 in G major for violin and orchestra with soloist Petro Cotarcea and Symphony No.33 in B flat major. The concert was supported by the State Center for the Preservation and Promotion of National Culture, Ilfov.
Michael Woods has again proven evidence of talent and experience as in numerous appearances in Australia or other countries. Of special note Symphony 33 was control and fine ensemble in work not much known in Romania. He said he returned with great pleasure, in Romania, where there are great musicians and audiences who value taste, both classical repertoire, and also modern.
Aristotle Bunescu
Muzica celor mai bune filme - Great music from films
VALCEA 1 - TELEVISIUNIA DE VALCEA - December 13, 2011 - 5:04 PM (including video)
Google link: Muzica celor mai bune filme - Valcea 1 - Televiziunea de Valcea
VALCEA FILARMONICA - OCHIUL TIGRULUI! - EYE OF THE TIGER! (Google translation of original)
The concert presented in the Anton Pann Theatre last night by our city's "Ion Dimitrescu" Valcea Filharmonica was a delight for the audience. With a select repertoire including some of the most popular music from films, Australian conductor, Michael Woods, was able to work brilliantly with the Valcea orchestra. It is the conductor's third visit to Romania. The most popular works in this concert were those arranged by the American, Irvin Wagner, from the Rocky movie series, Survivor's Eye of the Tiger! and others that are well-known to all film lovers. This second collaboration of the Australian conductor with the Valcea players has again been very good. At the end of the concert, those present had words of great praise, both for conductor, Michael Woods, and our Valcea Filarmonica.
Bucharest Sinfonia: Romanian Ateneum: Beethoven festival
Maestro Michael Woods conducted the Sinfonia Bucharest Orchestra at the legendary and historical hall "Ateneum of Bucharest".This hall is one of the most important halls in all of Eastern Europe and Mo. Woods conducted on the same podium where in the past Celibidache, Giulini, Mehta, etc. had conducted.
This concert was one of the best of our orchestra in the last few years, because of this gifted and charismatic conductor. The players enjoyed working with him because he was competent, knew the score and showed authority in front of the orchestra. That's why my people played with all their heart for him. The audience also appreciated the concert very much, giving especially Maestro Woods several outstanding ovations
Not only me but also our orchestra said that Michael Woods was one of the best guest conductors that we've had in the last 10 years and they want him again in Bucharest for more concerts.
FLORIN TOTAN
Music Director of "Sinfonia Bucharest"
Str Rezonantei 2,Bl 12/29,sector 4Bucharest-Romania
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