(Olivier Patey)
The KZN Philharmonic, renowned for its magnificent symphony
concerts in the Durban City Hall, plays another fiddle behind the scenes.
The organisation and its 70 fulltime musicians dedicate the
balance of their time to educating the musicians and audiences of tomorrow and
engaging with local communities.
The symphony concert at the Durban City Hall on October 9 at
19h30 features the principal clarinettist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra,
Olivier Patey, and American maestro James Ross on the podium. The two of them,
along with KZN Philharmonic concertmaster Joanna Frankel, will conduct
master-classes for the South African National Youth Orchestra on Friday and
Saturday.
South Africa’s top young conductors, clarinettists and
violinists will converge on Durban to receive coaching from these three
exceptional professionals whilst attending rehearsals by the KZN Philharmonic
and learning what it takes to become a professional musician.
Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the
Orchestra said, “The KZN Philharmonic has gained a reputation as the finest
orchestra in Africa and we are delighted that our internationally acclaimed
guest artists are supporting our endeavours to transfer top class skills to the
upcoming musical talent of South Africa. This is true inspiration for our
youngsters to work hard and fulfil their dreams of becoming professional
musicians.”
Thursday night’s audience will be entranced to hear
Stravinsky’s The Fairy Kiss: Divertimento,
Copland’s Concerto, Clarinet and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor. They can
also listen to a pre-concert lecture at 18h15 in the Alhambra Room of the
Playhouse (across the road) at which Dr Liezl Marét Jacobs will offer
listener’s a deeper understanding of the music they will hear in the concert.
Another aspect of the KZN Philharmonic’s efforts to
encourage young musicians to pursue music as a career is to create performance
opportunities for them. The Durban Music School’s Jazz Band will present a free
curtain-raiser to concert goers on Church Walk at the entrance to the City Hall
from 18h30 to 19h15. Booking is at Computcket.
NB: The final concert
of the KZN Philharmonic’s Spring Symphony Season takes place on October 23. It
is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear Orff’s Carmina Burana which features
massed choirs and the KZN Philharmonic under the baton of world-renowned
conductor Justus Franz. It is a milestone event for Bongani Tembe, Chief
Executive and Artistic Director, who will be celebrating 20 years at the helm
of Durban’s beloved orchestra.
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