Bravo! The NZSO at 50 - Signed copy

Signed 1st. edition.

On 24 October 1946 the first rehearsal took place of the National Orchestra of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Fifty years later the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra celebrates not only a half-century of development and achivements, but survival through its tumultuous fifth decade, when it was cut loose from Broadcasting funding and faced new challenges as the world's first limited liability orchestral company.

Joy Tonks, the NZSO's historian, archivist and former personnel manager, has written a lively account of the human side of the orchestra's life on and off stage. Chapters cover the players, the maestros, the concertmasters, the guest artists and overseas tours. There are the controversies over the choice of conductors and concert programmes. There is the vision of John Hopkins, and his interest in 20th century music. There is the transition from heavily Romantic repertoire of the early days to fiery Latin compositions introduced by Juan Matteucci, to the increasing acceptance of the legitimacy of New Zealand music. The NZSO's growing reputation internationally for its quality recordings is also documented.

This is no dry official history. It is a vivid account of what happens behind the formal facade of a great orchestra: the highlights and lowlights, the personality conflicts and the sound of a 90-strong ensemble playing with passion.

BRAVO! THE NZSO AT 50 is a tribute to an orchestra which has not only prevailed through adverse circumstances, but has developed into a multi-talented music-making organisation known for its integrity and excellence. This generously illustrated book marks a sgnificant milestone in New Zealand's cultural life and is a worthy addition to any music-lover's collection.

- from the inside cover.

Signed 1st. edition.
Published by Exisle Publishing Limited, 1996.
Very good secondhand condition.
Dust-jacket slightly shelf-worn, but completely intact.