(Conductor Daniel
Boico)
Six sublime and inspirational symphony concerts await
classical music lovers in the KZN Philharmonic’s Summer Season commencing on
Thursday (February 20) at the Durban City Hall.
In designing the symphony concert programmes, Bongani Tembe,
CEO and Artistic Director, has ensured that traditionalists and concert
newcomers alike will be thrilled with each and every performance. “By attending all six concerts in the season
audiences can hear their old favourites whilst also building their knowledge of
music. For instance, the concert on March
6 features Concerto for Sitar, Cello and Orchestra as well as the ever-popular
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.”
The sitar, a delicate Indian instrument which was closeted
in the chamber of the Maharajas for centuries, is showcased in this concert by
Pradeep Ratnayake, a Sri Lankan composer and performer. He has become a
virtuoso by pushing the sitar beyond its customary limits and bringing it into
the realm of classical music, whilst also combining it with traditional eastern
drums, western rhythm guitar and sinuous saxophone phrasing.
Past concert research proves that Durban audiences are always
keen to hear South African soloists and this season features Anzel Gerber
playing Elgar’s Cello Concerto Op. 85 on February 27 and Avigail Bushakevitz
with Violin Concerto No. 5 by Mozart on March 27.
Amongst the international stars appearing are trumpet, cello
and piano soloists. True to maintaining its world class performance standards, the
KZN Philharmonic’s podium will be graced by a selection of highly acclaimed
international conductors – Israeli-born Daniel
Boico, Yasuo Shinozaki from Japan, African-American Kazem Abdullah and Frank
Cramer of Germany.
Part
of the KZN Philharmonic’s mission is to bring the pleasure of classical music
to all members of KwaZulu-Natal’s diverse society. When not performing symphony concerts,
the Orchestra implements an extensive education programme, introducing 25,000
learners a year to the joys of classical music.
For youngsters studying music as a potential future career, their
National Cadetship Programme nurtures young talent from around the country to
professional level with over 30 of their graduates in fulltime positions
domestically and internationally. In keeping with this transference of skills, this
Summer Season’s visiting conductors and soloists will conduct master classes
for up-and-coming stars, enabling them to learn from some of the world’s best.
Pre-concert lectures take place at 18h15 on concert nights
in the Alhambra Room at the Playhouse Theatre across the road from the City
Hall. These lectures enable
concert-goers to learn more about the works to be performed, thereby enhancing
their enjoyment of the live entertainment.
This season the KwaZulu Natal Wind Band will welcome concertgoers as
they approach the City Hall, performing in the Porte Cochère from 19h00 to
19h30 preceding the concerts on February 20 and 27 and March 27.
Every
symphony season the KZN Philharmonic encourages concert-goers to buy season
tickets, thereby becoming subscribers and qualifying for a 25% discount on
single ticket prices. This season there
is a range of nine wonderful prizes for those who subscribe, from luxury
accommodation at five star hotels, to restaurant vouchers, a magazine
subscription, lightweight suitcases or a
complimentary four-ball round of golf at the Durban Country Club. Visit www.kznphil.org.za for full details or call the orchestra’s offices on 031 369
9438.
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