Otago Music lecturers Heleen du Plessis, Terence Dennis and Tessa Petersen are featured soloists with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra for Beethoven’s Triple Concerto.
The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will present a thoughtful gift to mark 100 years of Music at Otago – a performance of Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. This celebration comes in the year that the DSO celebrates its own 60-year milestone.
Three of Otago’s most experienced music lecturers will perform the Triple Concerto as soloists with the DSO, under the baton of conductor Umberto Clerci on Saturday, 1 August at the Dunedin Town Hall.
Acclaimed performers and soloists in their own right, Williams Evans Senior Lecturer in Violin Tessa Petersen; cellist Associate Professor Heleen du Plessis; and pianist Blair Professor and William Evans Professor Terence Dennis will combine to form the soloists’ ensemble.
DSO General Manager Philippa Harris says this concerto for violin, cello and piano is unlike any other by Beethoven.
“This concerto is the only one Beethoven composed for more than one solo instrument. The three soloists engage in a musical conversation, and it will be special to hear and see this talented trio performing it,” Philippa says.
These three talented musicians are well versed in this creative exchange, as they have performed together since 2010 when they formed the ‘TriOtago’ trio.
“Playing together literally brings together almost two decades of our collaborations and camaraderie. It combines a total sum of more than 100 years of experience and training amongst the three of us. When we play together it is like tapping into the others’ wisdom and artistry! It takes humility, courage, mutual respect, and trust,” cellist Heleen says.
Terence, who is the piano soloist, says he has performed the Triple Concerto with previous staff string colleagues in the past, and it is a particular pleasure to play the work again with his current colleagues.
“Beethoven’s Triple Concerto is an imposing work written in the major creative period of the composer’s life. It is unusual to feature the piano trio as both soloists and ensemble players in a concerto, with constant give and take between the three of us and the orchestra.
“As a work, this concerto is particularly expansive and grand, full of vivid contrasts and stylish writing for the three soloists and orchestra,” he says.
Violinist Tessa is also looking forward to this occasion and says, “Performing this concerto is a special way to celebrate my long affiliation with these two great Dunedin assets - the DSO and the University of Otago.”
Associate Professor Jennifer Cattermole, Head of the School of Performing Arts at Otago, says the University is grateful to the DSO for recognising this treasured relationship.
“The partnership between the symphony orchestra and Otago is a close and collaborative one. Many of Otago’s staff, students and alumni are regular performers with the DSO, which is a cornerstone of Otago’s creative community.
“This musical celebration is a wonderful way to recognise our respective milestones, and we look forward to many more together,” Jennifer says.
The evening’s programme also includes Brahms’s second symphony and a performance of New Zealand composer Dorothy Buchanan’s Peace Fanfare, which opens with the distinctive sound of a Pacific log drum.
Concert details
A promotional image by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra for this performance on 1 August at the Dunedin Town Hall.
Umberto Clerici conducts Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, with featured soloists: Heleen Du Plessis - cello, Terence Dennis - piano, and Tessa Petersen - violin.
Saturday, 1 August 7:30pm, Dunedin Town Hall. There is a free pre-concert talk by Otago’s Dr Andrew Perkins from 6:40-7pm.
Also on the programme are Brahms’ second symphony and Dorothy Buchanan’s Peace Fanfare.
Find out more, and book tickets, via this link to the DSO's website.
-Kōrero Antonia Wallace, Communications Adviser | Kaiarataki Pārokoroko
Music at Otago turns 100
Join us for a weekend of connection, celebration, learning opportunities and musical performance as we mark 100 years of Music at Otago, from 25 to 26 September 2026.
Music reunion registration