Friends of Music
have an exciting programme for classical music lovers lined up for 2014.
The first recital
will take place on January 14 when KZN Philharmonic Concert Master, Joanna
Frankel, will perform works by Elgar, Brahms, Mozart, De Falla accompanied on
piano by Christopher Duigan one South Africa’s the leading pianists.
The rest of the
year’s programme is as follows. Watch artSMart for programme details:
February 4: Michael
Jones. Chosen to perform for the British Royal Family, Michael Jones has won
many prizes for solo and chamber music playing. He was studied cello at the
Royal College of Music in London and later at the Kolner Hochschule. His programme
is titled A Musical Fantasy and will
include works from Bach to Rodrigo. He will perform the South African premiere
of Rodrigo’s Fantasia.
February 18: Duo
Recital with cellist Peter Bruns (Berlin) accompanied by Annegret Kuttner
(Germany). Peter Bruns has established an excellent reputation in the international
music world as one of Germany’s leading cellists. Annegret impresses audiences
with the naturalness of her interpretation as well as the lightness and clarity
of her playing. She regularly performs as a soloist and chamber musician in
diverse musical and cultural centres in Germany and abroad. Their programme
includes works by Schumann, Chopin and Brahms.
February 25: Astrith
Baltsan. This top Israeli Pianist’s interpretation of Mozart, Beethoven,
Chopin, Schumann and Brahms is widely acclaimed. She was awarded the Audience
Choice Prize by Israel’s largest newspaper and special excellence from the
Israeli Government and Minister of Education.
March 18: Piano Duo
Genova & Dimitrov, featuring pianists
Aglika Genova and Liuben Dimitrov. The sensational international concert
career of the Genova and Dimitrov Duo began with winning all the major piano
duo competitions, including ARD Munich, Miami,Tokyo and Bellini Italy. They
also appeared in countless radio and TV broadcasts on all continents. Their
programme will include Brahms, Grieg, Fauré, Poulenc and Ravel.
March 25:
Cellibration performed by principal members of the KZN Philharmonic. The
ensemble comprises cellists Boris Kerimov, Ralitsa Todorova, Marguerite Spies
and Fiona Grayer. Guest soloists are Stephane Pechoux (percussion) and Elena
Kerimova (violin). The programme will feature Lucia, Francini, Mores, Piazzolla,
Bach, Chopin, Dark Eyes, Metallica, Caccini, Dinicu --- Toss the feathers.
April 8: Pierre-André
Doucet. This talented pianist from New Brunswick (Canada) will perform Scarlatti
Sonatas in F Major, K.82; G. Major, K. 146 and A Major, K.208 and Hamelin Etude no.6: Omaggio a Scarlatti; Liszt’s
Transcendental Etude No.11; Harmonies du soir; Muczynski – Desperate Measures
(Paganini Variations); Liszt Ballade No.2 in B minor and Miller’s Variations
and theme on an Acadian Folk Song.
May 27: Duo Olite with
Alma Olite (violin) and Denis Lossev (piano). Alma Olite has established
herself as one of the most interesting Spanish artists of her generation. She has been awarded major prizes including
first prize at Vila de Salou as well as Teodoro Ballo and a prize at the
International Wieniawski Competitions. Denis Lossev was born in Russia. His performance activities spread through
Russia and Europe. He is also involved
in Chamber Music Festivals dedicated to Franck and Schostakovich in
collaboration with the Albeniz Quartet. Their programme will feature works by Vitali,
Beethoven, de Falla and Wieniawski.
June 10: Ilya
Gringolts (violin) and Peter Laul (piano). Ilya Gringolts has performed all
over Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. He was the winner of the 1998
International Violin Competition and was awarded two special prizes for the
youngest first prize winner in the history of the Competition and the best
interpreter. Peter Laul won the special prize for the best Bach performance in
the Bremen International Piano Competition in 1995 and again in 1977, he won
the 1st prize and special prize for the best Schubert sonata performance. His
programme includes Dvorak’s Sonata F Major, Beethoven’s Sonata No 7 and Strauss’s
Sonata.
June 24: KZN Philharmonic
String Quartet: Johanna Frankel (Concert Master), Violeta Osorhean (Associate
Concert Master), David Snaith (Viola), Boris Kerimov (Principal Cellist), Sorin
–Mircea (Principal French Horn) and Tzanko Tzankov (French Horn). This promises
to be a stunning unusual recital including Mozart’s String Quartet, Beethoven’s
Horn Sextet (String Quartet plus two French Horns) and Mendelssohn’s String
Quartet.
July 22: Piano Duo-
Liezl-Marét Jacobs (piano) and Elna van der Merwe (piano). Elna and Liezl-Marét
have established themselves as well-known South African pianists, accompanists
and chamber musicians. On one piano they will present a delightful programme of
piano duets by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Fauré and Schubert.
August 12: Cobus Du
Toit on flute and Patrick Sutton on guitar. Cobus has won many competitions on
two different continents. Some of prominent prizes include the Unisa
Performance Laicent competition; The Bolder Philharmonic competition; the Byron
Hester flute and Samro International Scholarship Competition. Patrick Sutton
has received several honours including the first place in the 2009 Lamont Chamber
Music competition. He is also two-time prize Dcgs guitar competition. Their
programme includes works by Piazzola; Takemitsu; Iznaloa and Beaser.
August 17: The
Annual Beth Shalom Concert taking place at the Durban Jewish Centre, 44 Old
Fort (K E Masinga) Road.
August 19: Enrique Brenaldo
de Quirós. Born in Moscow, he has received more than 40 prizes in prestigious international
competitions. He won the Unisa piano competition in 2012 which placed him in
the select group of Spanish Musicians. In 2008 he performed in the Great Hall
of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, one of the most emblematic halls in the world.
He will perform works by Debussy, Albéniz and Rachmáninov.
September 2: Quintet
for Strings and Piano comprising David Smith (piano), Géza Kayser and Jitske
Brian (violin), Nigel Fish (cello) and Claire Hamilton (viola). They will
perform works by Locatelli, Haydn, Stravinsky and Schubert.
October 28: Avigail
(violin) and Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano).This talented brother and sister duo
has won many awards locally and Internationally. Their programme includes works
by Mozart, Schumann, Bloch and Ravel.
November 18: Antoinette
Olivier (soprano) and pianist Tinus Botha will present a varied programme of Wagner
and Dvorak opera arias, art songs and works for solo piano by Schumann, Liszt
and Scriabin written for the left hand only.
December 2: The
Rising Stars. Friends of Music in collaboration with the South African Music
Teachers Association present a programme by highly talented young musicians
from KwaZulu-Natal.
All Friends of
Music recitals and concert take place at 19h45 at the Durban Jewish Centre.
Booking is at Computicket. Season tickets are now available. For more information visit http://www.friendsofmusic.co.za/