(Bongani Tembe, KZNPO
Chief Executive &Artistic Director)
At an
impressive media function held on Tuesday evening at the Women’s Jail (now an
impressive and inspirational museum) in Johannesburg, the KZN Philharmonic
Orchestra (KZNPO) released exciting news for next year.
The first
good news is that the KZNPO will celebrate 30 years of musical excellence in 2013.
The second
good news is that the KZNPO will celebrate this milestone with an impressive
anniversary season featuring the Royal Concertgebouw’s first South African
tour.
“We are
very proud to be celebrating our 30th anniversary. The KwaZulu-Natal
Philharmonic Orchestra’s mission is to contribute to the improvement of the
quality of life of all South Africans by presenting concerts of a high calibre
and integrating music into the learning experience of our children.” says .
In tribute
to their 30 years, the 2013 programme will be punctuated by extra special
highlights. The first of these, which takes place during the February/March
Summer Symphony Season, is a South African tour by the Amsterdam-based Royal
Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO). This double anniversary celebration also honours
the RCO’s 125th year, which will see them undertaking a world tour, visiting
six continents in a single year – the only orchestra ever to do so.
The world-renowned RCO is currently rated by Gramophone
magazine as the world’s greatest orchestra. Expressing his delight at hosting
them, Tembe said: “It is a privilege to host the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
on their first tour to South Africa. The RCO is undoubtedly one of the best
orchestras in the world and are known for their unique sound. They will perform
in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria. I am also pleased that the RCO will be
participating in educational and community related work in Cape Town, Umlazi
Township and Soweto.”
Jan Raes, Managing Director of the RCO, said: “We are
delighted to be hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in South
Africa, on our World Tour in celebration of 125 years. How appropriate that the
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, which has a reputation for achieving and delivering
the highest level of quality at every performance, should be partnering with an
orchestra whose quest for excellence and innovation has enabled them to be the
first orchestra in South Africa’s democratic dispensation to distinguish
themselves with a 30 year record.”
Raes added that the orchestra is looking
forward to their time in South Africa as part of their world tour. “Both
management and musicians approach their work with the goal of making every
performance another opportunity to let listeners ‘hear the unhearable, feel the
unfeelable and touch the untouchable’; and as a result, magic happens, and
their concerts are a truly unforgettable experience. We look forward to
delighting South African music lovers. ”
The KZN
Philharmonic’s Summer Symphony Season 2013 has been designed to enhance the
musical experience of all concert-goers. As the KZN Philharmonic continues to
uphold their core goals of excellence, innovation and community engagement,
Tembe is proud that “we also present concerts that highlight the cultural
heritage of our country and over the years, our programmes have attracted
people of all races and ages who come to our events just to enjoy themselves
together as South Africans.” Stunning international soloists, reverberating
local choirs, popular South African artists and a mix of the very best
composers will form part of the offering through the six-week season, with a
special concert for Valentine’s Day.
Since
its inaugural concert in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall on October 22, 1983,
the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra has contributed many stimulating
experiences to diverse audiences nationally and internationally. 70 Fulltime
professional musicians hail from over 20 countries including South Africa, the
USA, Russia, Bulgaria, Norway, Germany, Italy and the UK. Widely regarded as
Africa’s premier orchestra, the KZN Philharmonic has established itself as both
a musical force to be reckoned with and as an ensemble willing to break down
preconceived notions of what an orchestra should be; and, in celebrating this
milestone, confirms its position on the map of South Africa’s cultural
landscape, well into an exciting future.
For more information on the KZNPO’s
2013 programme and to stay up to date with current news, link to their website
through the banner advert at the top of this page or visit www.kznpo.co.za
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