Earlier this year, Weiss took up the prestigious development role as New Zealand’s assistant conductor in residence, funded by Creative New Zealand and based with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, but also working with Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Immersed in the professional orchestra environment in New Zealand for this year, the Australian conductor is relishing the chance to be part of "these fantastic ensembles", and has already worked on several performances.
Taking on the role had meant stepping away from advanced conducting studies with maestro Marin Alsop at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, but it was a golden opportunity to learn on the job.
"I’m thrilled to have this significant opportunity to work with each orchestra, who has its own community and a different place in the national arts ecosystem," he said.
"It’s a great joy and a privilege — and every day I get to wake up and think about music."
Now on his first visit to Dunedin, Weiss is excited to be working alongside Umberto Clerici, who he has known for a couple of years and who performed in the city as cello soloist in the DSO’s performance of Elgar’s famous Cello Concerto in 2015.
"Umberto is a phenomenal musician, who brings world-class knowledge to everything he does.
"It will be great to get his insights, and to learn from working with the musicians."
The programme for the Crouching Tiger matinee series concerts, to be held this Saturday, at 5pm, and Sunday, at 3pm, at the King’s and Queen’s Performing Arts Centre, features Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Concerto, Biber’s Battalia a 10, and Beethoven’s Symphony No 4.
NZ Trio cellist Ashley Brown will be the soloist for the Crouching Tiger Concerto, inspired by Dun’s score for Ang Lee’s multiple award-winning film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000).
"This brilliant concerto is the epitome of East meets West, and really transports the listener into that environment," Weiss said.
"Having two world-class cellists working on it will be incredible — the audience is really in for a treat."
Weiss had the opportunity to lead Monday’s rehearsal, launching into Beethoven’s Symphony No 4, which he has a particular affinity for, having studied the first movement in depth for his assistant conductor panel interview.
"I’m thrilled to get my hands on the Beethoven, which is less often performed that his more dramatic symphonies, but is filled with subtle beauty and job," he said.
