(Violinist
Tai Murray who will appear in the opening concert on September 5)
Music lovers in South Africa are in for a
feast of magnificent music as the KZN Philharmonic launches its Spring 2013
symphony season to continue its 30th anniversary celebration.
Eight different concerts, featuring leading
conductors and soloists, take place on consecutive Thursdays at the Durban City
Hall at 19h30, commencing on September 5 and ending off in grand style on October
24 with the Orchestra’s 30th birthday celebration.
Mr Bongani Tembe, Artistic Director and
Chief Executive of the KZN Philharmonic says: “As the KwaZulu-Natal
Philharmonic Orchestra, we are committed to bringing the pleasure of classical
music to all members of our diverse society. We contribute to the improvement
of the quality of life of all South Africans by presenting concerts of high
calibre and by integrating music into the learning experience of our children.
We also present concerts that showcase 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.”
Spring
Awakening describes the opening concert of the
season which includes compositions by Bernstein, Korngold and Shostakovich.
Bringing her unique musical intelligence to the programme is violinist Tai
Murray with conductor Rossen Milanov on the podium. Durban audiences are indeed
fortunate to have the internationally respected and admired Milanov to conduct
the first two concerts of the season.
Beethoven enthusiasts will be over the moon
to have the opportunity of listening to their favourite composer at no less than
four of the eight concerts. KZN Philharmonic Concert Master, Joanna Frankel,
performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto as the soloist in the second concert on September
12 in an all Beethoven evening. The third concert celebrates Wagner’s 200th
birthday, when the Orchestra will be accompanied by the mellifluous voice of
mezzo-soprano Michelle Breedt. World-renowned maestro Thomas Sanderling
conducts this concert as well as that on September 26. Entitled Romantic Classics, exciting Indian
pianist Pallavi Mahidhara performs one of Mozart’s finest piano concertos, No
20.
The season then turns to one of the KZN
Philharmonic’s passions – nurturing the budding professional musicians of
tomorrow. Auditions for voice and instrument soloists have been held nationwide
and the ten winners will each perform one piece with the full Orchestra at the
concert on October 3– for many a stepping stone to their future careers.
The next two concerts will be conducted by
Dutch-born Arjan Tien. His fiancée, Maria du Toit, rated as a clarinet
virtuoso, will solo on October 10 in the world premiere of a clarinet concerto
written for her by composer David Earl. The concert on October 17 sees a return
to Beethoven with Alexandra Dariescu playing his Piano Concerto No 4. Mahler’s
monumental Fourth Symphony is the major work of this concert.
The season crowns an exceptional year for
the KZN Philharmonic. In addition to its regular annual array of symphony
seasons and outside concerts, the Orchestra has played host to the Royal
Concertgebouw Orchestra from Amsterdam on their first ever tour to Africa. They
have toured with highly-rated American violinist Sarah Chang, performing
concerts in Durban and Johannesburg, as well as an education concert and a
community choral concert that evening at the new Soweto Theatre.
Thence to Grahamstown as the resident
orchestra at the National Arts Festival with five concerts and nine ensemble
works on their five day programme. Next stop Marseille, France, as part of the
France South Africa Season 2012, with a magical concert on the Place de la
Republique in Paris on July 18, International Nelson Mandela Day.
“Needless to say the triumph of this season
will be the final concert on October 24 in celebration of our 30th anniversary,”
commented Bongani Tembe. The Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Symphony No 9,
accompanied by no less than four Durban choirs as well as leading South African
soloists.
If you book for all the concerts by September
5 you will receive a 25 percent discount on the ticket prices and be recognised
by the Orchestra as a subscriber. That’s eight concerts for the price of six,
in whichever price category you choose!
Booking is through Computicket or by
calling the KZN Philharmonic’s booking office on 031 369 9404 or email bookings@kznpo.co.za
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