CELLIBRATION

(Nina Watson, Jennifer Lintz, Marguerite Spies, Boris Kerimov, Fiona Grayer and Ralitsa Todorova)

Durban’s Friends of Music to host a unique celebration of cellists …

“One cello is divine, six celli are heaven.” If you’re an enthusiast (and who isn’t?) it’s an apt tag-line for the next recital to presented by Durban’s Friends of Music on May 22.

Entitled Cellibration, this unusual programme features six cellists of the KZN Philharmonic under the direction of the orchestra’s principal cellist, Boris Kerimov, in a programme predominated by cello transcriptions by him.

Kerimov opens the first half of the programme, performing Gaspar Cassado’s 15-minute Suite for solo cello. He is then be joined by his wife, violinist Elena Kerimova and violist David Snaith in a performance of Beethoven’s Sting Trio No 2 Opus 9.

After interval, the cellists take the stage in full force when Kerimov is joined by his colleagues, Jennifer Lintz, Ralitsa Todorova, Marguerite Spies, Fiona Grayer and Nina Watson (cello), along with Stephane Pechoux (percussion). They will perform an enticing array of transcriptions of popular music by Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, Verdi, Villa-Lobos, Piazzola and more.

The evening’s Prelude Performers are I Signori, comprising tenors Sandile Vilakazi and Ayanda Zwane, baritone Luca Ngonco and bass Bhekani Buthelezi.

Cellibration takes place on May 22 at 19h45 at the Durban Jewish Centre in KE Masinga Road (formerly Old Fort Road). Tickets R70 (R60 FOM members and R20 students and scholars). Booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 and safe parking is provided.

Friends of Music acknowledge the valuable support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.