NATIONAL YOUTH CONCERTO FESTIVAL

The KZN Philharmonic presents the National Youth Concerto Festival this evening (September 27) 2012 at the Durban City Hall. This concert forms part of the World Symphony Series Spring Season 2012 which runs until November 1. 

Each year, the KZN Philharmonic is proud to host the National Youth Concerto Festival at which aspiring artists are awarded the opportunity to play with the Orchestra. This is a sought-after vehicle for the cream of young South African musicians wanting to make their mark and the annual event sets a high standard of performance. 

Auditions are held across the country in Pretoria, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Durban, and attract South Africa’s finest up-and-coming young musicians. The winners of the auditions will perform a concerto movement, aria or concert piece with the orchestra. 

Conductor Lykele Temmingh puts these artists through their paces, with a programme that offers a feast of classical fare. The event also allows audience members a chance to experience music performed by some of the most talented young South African musicians. 

The concert commences with Mark Spence performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 - 1st Movement, followed by Dylan Bruce Barker performing the 2^nd and 3^rd movements from Strauss’s Horn Concerto No. 1. A duet from The Pearl Fishers: “Au fond du temple saint” by Bizet will be performed by Kwakhanya Mavuka with Sandile Samuel Sikhosana. The final performance of the first half is from Abraham Mennen who will perform Borne’s Fantaisie Brillante: Sur des airs de “Carmen”. 

The second half of the concert opens with Nidhi Gangan, an advanced cadet at the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, playing the first movement from Sarmientos Concerto for Marimba. Bonolo Kgaile will perform Dvořák’s Romance Op.11 in F minor followed by Sakhile Humbane with the third movement from Ibert’s Concerto for Flute. The evening is concluded with a performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3 by Roelof Willem Temmingh. 

Pre-concert talks take place at the Playhouse Alhambra Room at 18h15 on the night of each concert. The speakers for the season are: Lykele Temmingh (September 27); Dr Teddy Pillay (October 4); Michael Green (October 11 and 18); Barry Edwards (October 25) and Stavros Anthias (November 1). 

The concert starts at 19h30. Safe and subsidised parking is available at the Royal Hotel. For further information contact the subscription office on 031 369 9404/9438, email bookings@kznpo.co.za or visit www.kznpo.co.za. Booking for individual concerts is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com.