AYO June 2026 Concert - Botany
Thrilling percussion concerto and Dvorak's famous 9th symphony.
Auckland Youth Orchestra, conducted by Antun Poljanich, presents an exhilarating concert opening with Bizet’s luminous Intermezzo from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2. This gentle and lyrical work with flowing melodies provides the perfect introduction.
The concert then shifts into vibrant contemporary territory with Séjourné’s Double Concerto for Marimba & Vibraphone, featuring renowned soloists Eric Renick and Steven Logan (Principal Percussionist and Principal Timpanist respectively of the Auckland Philharmonia). This dazzling work is a true showcase of rhythmic vitality and tonal brilliance. The interplay between marimba and vibraphone creates a rich tapestry of sound, at times shimmering and ethereal, at others bold and percussive. Renick and Logan bring not only technical mastery but also a deep musical connection, engaging in a dynamic dialogue that is both playful and profound. Supported by the orchestra’s crisp precision and rhythmic drive, this concerto is certain to be a highlight of the concert - an exhilarating fusion of contemporary flair and classical structure.
The programme concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World,” a cornerstone of the orchestral repertoire and a powerful testament to the composer’s inspiration drawn from American landscapes and spirituals. From the haunting beauty of the famous Largo to the triumphant sweep of the final movement, this symphony demands both emotional depth and technical command from the orchestra – a moving and memorable experience for all.
Lineup
Eric Renick - vibraphone
Auckland Philharmonia’s Principal Percussionist since 2010, Eric is originally from Indiana, USA. In 2007 Eric was awarded a Fellowship with the New World Symphony. Eric has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago, San Francisco, St. Louis, Kansas City, and New Zealand symphonies; Hong Kong Philharmonic and Malaysian Philharmonic; and Grant Park, Breckenridge and Spoleto (USA) festival orchestras. Eric is a regular collaborator with cross-genre musicians as well as film scoring and presenting concert performances with digital/electronic elements. In 2017, he performed the Southern Hemisphere premiere of Rautavaara’s Incantations, a concerto for percussion and orchestra, and in 2018, performed Michael Torke’s Mojave (a marimba concerto) on a tour to China with the New Zealand Chamber Orchestra. He has appeared as a marimba soloist with Voices NZ and is scheduled to perform Steven Mackey’s Micro-Concerto for Percussion with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra.
Steven Logan - marimba
Steven Logan is Section Principal Timpanist of the Auckland Philharmonia, a position he has held since 2016. Recent highlights include Marimba Magic (2024), Kalevi Aho’s Timpani Concerto (2021), and a 2025 North Island tour with flutist Luca Manghi and pianist David Kelly. Their album A Flint and a Spark: New Works for Flute and Marimba is now available through Atoll Records on all major streaming platforms. Steven has performed internationally with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and Buffalo Philharmonic, sings with the APO’s All Star Rhythm & Blues Band, teaches at the University of Waikato and Epsom Music School, and appears in the film M3GAN 2.0.
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