Top cellist to play with NZSO

Back by popular demand, Lynn Harrell returns to New Zealand to perform Elgar's elegiac Cello Concerto in For the Fallen with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

The concert will be staged in Hamilton's Founders Theatre tonight.

Harrell is a consummate soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor and teacher and his work throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia has placed him in the highest echelon of performing artists.

His commanding 2003 performance of Elgar's masterpiece with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra was critically acclaimed and received standing ovations nationwide.

Elgar's Cello Concerto was inspired after the English composer witnessed the despair of World War I.

Some theories examine the notion that this emotionally-driven work was provoked by memories of his first great love, Helen Weaver, who emigrated to New Zealand after their relationship ended.

Allegedly, after receiving word that Weaver's son had been killed fighting in France, Elgar was moved to write this astonishing war requiem.

Whether this link to New Zealandis true, there is little doubt thatElgar's Concerto is one of the most popular works ever written for the cello.

It memorialises our fallen soldiers - a fitting tribute so close to Anzac Day.

Leading the orchestra through this masterpiece, as well as Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture and Schumann's equally dramatic Symphony No4, is one of America's most promising conductors Maestro AndrewGrams.

Hamilton, Founders Theatre, tonight, 7.30pm.