"Effervescent Bach!" Murphy's NNO appearance a success

Dutch-based Australian conductor Simon Murphy's recent guest-conducting appearance with the Noord Nederlands Orkest (NNO) has been most enthusiastically received. Press, orchestra and audience alike welcomed Murphy's fresh and personal approach to music making in the NNO's 2012 February programme of works by Bach and van Wassenaer. It was the first co-operation between Murphy and the orchestra.

“Effervescent Bach! … Guest conductor Simon Murphy doesn't only present the Baroque in a lively and captivating manner – he paces the musical development beautifully, letting the music breathe and rest along the way, whereby the listener's ears remain fresh and alert until the final chord.”
Dagblad van het Noorden

The NNO programme saw Murphy in action together with vocal soloist, Swiss soprano Julia Neumann. Devised by the NNO's artistic director Marcel Mandos, the programme featured Bach cantatas “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen” and “Ich habe genug” together with the Brandenburg Concerto no. 1 in F.
More info: http://www.nno.nu/concerten/julia-neumann-zingt-bach

Simon Murphy (Sydney, 1973) is chief-conductor of The Hague's Baroque Orchestra, The New Dutch Academy (NDA). He has won much recognition for his work as a “repertoire refresher”, presenting fresh perspectives on established masterworks and by introducing newly rediscovered musical gems to modern audiences:

“Murphy is a musician with “guts”: a conductor with the passion and conviction of a born missionary. He serves his music up to his audience con spirito and presto energico.”
De Volkskrant, The Netherlands

“The repertoire-refresher, conductor Simon Murphy radiates joie de vivre. His interpretation distinguishes itself by its enthusiasm. 5 stars!”
Diapason, France

“Breathtaking. Compelling, technically brilliant and unusually effervescent! Murphy has it all - verve and pulsating temperament - presented with the finest finesse. A sensational interpretation!”
Concerto, Germany

“Murphy's music making is full of imagination, great love and unstoppable drive”
NRC Handelsblad, The Netherlands

“Murphy exhibits liveliness and groove, great dynamic profile and a beautiful use of timbre”
Frankfurter Neue Presse, Germany

Murphy's upcoming performances with the NDA include the opening of the orchestra's 10 year anniversary season in The Hague in October 2012 with the programme “Black Magic” featuring Mendelssohn's first piano concerto and arias and overtures by Spohr, von Weber, Mozart,  Rust and Lortzing.

Murphy's upcoming guest conducting engagements include a double bill with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Brisbane in May and June 2013 with music by Corelli, Handel, Stamitz, J.C. Bach, C.P.E. Bach, Abel and Reichardt. Handcrafted by Murphy, the two concert programmes “Roman Holiday” and “New Generation” will be broadcast live by Australia's ABC.

www.simonmurphyconductor.com