Photo: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Acclaimed Australian conductor and trumpeter Yoram Levy leads an ensemble that showcases the power and precision of the NZSO Brass and Percussion musicians. This programme will stir the soul and ignite the holiday spirit.
NZSO Brass Ensemble
Horn players: Manuel Escauriaza, Alex Hambleton, Shadley van Wyk, Sebastian Dunn, Rebecca Luton.
Trumpets (also flugelhorn): Michael Kirgan, Mark Carter, David Johnson & Matt Stein
Trombones: David Bremner, Matthew Allison, Scott Kinmont & Shannon Pittaway
Tuba: Andrew Jarvis
Timpani Larry Reese
Percussion: Lenny Sakofsky and Sam Rich
Programme
BACH arr Mowat: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in G BWV1048
BARBER: Mutations from Bach
TOMASI: Fanfares Liturgiques
TRAD arr DiLorenzo: Joy To The World
LAURIDSEN arr Buerkle: O Magnum Mysterium
TORME arr Mowat: The Christmas Song
BERNARD arr Buerkle: Winter Wonderland
PIERPONT arr Di Lorenzo: Jingle Bells Swing-a-Ling-Ding
ANDERSON arr Wasson: Sleigh Ride
BACH arr Mowat: Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in G BWV1048
Originally written for strings, Christopher Mowat made this arrangement for the famed Philip Jones Brass Ensemble. Mowat says this version imagines what Bach might have done if he’d had modern brass instruments at his disposal - that means instruments Bach never knew like the tuba, and today’s horn and trumpet.
BARBER: Mutations from Bach
Samuel Barber’s Mutations from Bach takes the plainsong Christe, du Lamm Gottes (Christ, Thou Lamb of God) and repeatedly re-harmonises the song.
TOMASI: Fanfares Liturgiques
Henri Tomasi’s Fanfares liturgiques come from his opera Don Juan de Mañara, which centres around the main character, Miguel, whose love for the pure and innocent Girolama allows him to turn away from a life of sin. Her death soon after their marriage triggers a crisis of faith, which Miguel overcomes by becoming a monk, devoting himself to good works.
Photo: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
TRAD arr DiLorenzo: Joy to the World
LAURIDSEN arr Buerkle: O Magnum Mysterium
TORME arr Mowat: The Christmas Song
BERNARD arr Buerkle: Winter Wonderland
PIERPONT arr DiLorenzo: Jingle Bells Swing-a-Ling-Ding
ANDERSON arr Wasson: Sleigh Ride
Producer: David McCaw
Sound Engineer: Darryl Stack
Recorded 5 December 2025 at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert
