Parklane SUPERSPAR presents the annual Symphony in the City: Organ Symphony in the Pietermaritzburg City
Hall tonight (October 31). Featuring the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra,
the concert will include Camille Saint-Saëns‘ Symphony No 3 Organ, one of a few symphonic works that
combines a full symphony orchestra with organ.
Speaking on this much anticipated event principal sponsor
Cameron Mackenzie of Parklane SUPERSPAR said: " We have been inundated
with requests from the concert-going public to feature the organ in the concerts
we present at the City Hall. The organ, built in 1901, is a visually imposing
backdrop to any concert there. It is reputedly one of the largest of its type
in the world, the largest in the southern hemisphere and according to my research,
the largest the renowned organ builders Brindlay and Foster ever built.”
The KZN Philharmonic has not played this music in the Durban
City Hall for many years despite staging their weekly Symphony Concerts there.
The Durban City Hall organ has been out of action for some time. Mackenzie went
on to say: “We should be proud of our city assets and heritage. We invite all
from KZN and surrounding regions to come and hear the magnificence of the organ
together with the vast instrumental forces of the orchestra."
Also featured in the concert are KZNPO Concert-master Joanna
Frankel in Maurice Ravel's Tzigane
and Barcelona-based saxophonist David Salleras in three pieces by contemporary
Argentine 'nuevo-tango' composer Astor Piazzolla. Christopher Duigan, who has
been collaborating with Salleras on numerous projects for over two years, will
join him at the piano.
Speaking on the choice of programme, Duigan said "I am
excited by the sultry and intense energies in the first half of the concert
which will contrast beautifully with the expansive and floating hymns-like
melodies of the Organ Symphony in the
second". Maritzburg-born organist Christopher Cockburn, who has a long
association with the City Hall organ, will be the soloist in the Symphony.
Jeremy Silver, the London-based conductor who thrilled audiences locally in Vienna Nights earlier this year, will be
on the podium.
The concert takes place in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall tonight
(October 31) at 19h30. Tickets R120 to R180 (discount for pensioners and
scholars/students). Tickets available from Parklane SUPERSPAR Coffee Shop on 033
342 3487. As always, refreshments are included.
Secure patrolled parking is provided in the City Hall
precinct, Bessie Head Library and Tatham Art Gallery.
Posts
