Olympiad XXVIII Suite (orchestra)

This suite was created from a selection of the music I composed for the 2004 Athens Olympic Ceremonies. It was premiered at the Forbidden City in Beijing in 2008 by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics Cultural Festival.

The suite contained adaptations of Debussy’s King Lear music, Shostakovich’s “Pirogov” film score, and an unused score for the Entrance of the Olympic Flag.  

It was also performed in New Zealand on Sat 4 Apr 2009, 3:00pm–5:00pm at the Michael Fowler Centre in  Wellington

‍

The Audi Tour  

JOHN PSATHAS OLYMPIAD XXVIII

PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No 2

MUSSORGSKY ARR RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition  

PIETARI INKINEN Music Director

CHO LIANG LIN Violin

This was the only concert of my music that I boycotted. Even though I was in Wellington at the time I decided not to go this performance due to the behaviour of Pietari at rehearsals. He managed to insult and disrespect at least four of New Zealand’s prominent composers. When my turn came he was incredibly rude and disdainful in front of the orchestra (many of who were embarrassed on my behalf). His disdain and contempt were extraordinary. I laid a complaint which was brushed off as me over-reacting. He continued to treat New Zealand composer’s and their music with a deep lack of respect until his departure.

‍

‍

Resources

RESEARCHERS: EXPLORE OLYMPIAD XXVIII SUITE ORCHESTRA AT THE ALEXANDER TURNBULL LIBRARY