As usual, an impressive display of young
talent. (Review by Michael Green)
Every year the Friends of Music, in
collaboration with the South African Society of Music Teachers, present a Rising Stars concert. This year’s
version, at the Durban Jewish Centre was, as usual, an impressive display of
young talent.
There were six soloists and a small choir,
a total of 15 performers, all school pupils aged from 14 to 18 and but two of
them girls. There were two pianists and two recorder-players¸ the rest were
singers, no violinists or cellists. Nearly all those involved had appeared
previously before the public at various levels and, as was to be expected, they
showed skills and poise beyond their years.
Obviously, one cannot apply exacting
critical standards when reviewing a concert of this nature. Suffice it to say
that the standard of performance was uniformly high, and I was impressed by the
technical skills and stage presence of these young artists.
The performers were:
-
The Hillcrest High School
Choir, nine girls singing with verve and enthusiasm under the direction of
Judith Hawthorn.
-
Amy Diack (18) from St.
Benedict’s, recorder,
-
Elisabeth Manduell (17) from
Durban Girls’ College, soprano.
-
Ewan Slabber (16) from Glenwood
High School, piano.
-
Matthew Coetzee (18) from Kloof
High School, recorder.
-
Phumla Dlomo (18) from
Northlands Girls’ High School, singer.
-
Margie Fan (17) from Crawford
North Coast, piano.
The music performed ranged from Edith
Piaf’s Milord, sung in true Gallic
style by Elisabeth Manduell, to Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso, played in true virtuoso manner by Ewan Slabber.
Bobby Mills provided piano accompaniments
for several of the soloists, playing with accuracy and sympathy.
All this was much enjoyed by an audience
rather different from the usual Friends of Music crowd. Family and friends, I imagine. - Michael Green
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