(Francesca Dego)
(Preview by Michael
Green)
An attractive
rarity is the central item on the programme for the second concert of the KZN
Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer season, in the Playhouse, Durban, on February 16.
The Violin Concerto
by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876-1948) is not often performed, and its inclusion
on the KZNPO programme has been billed as a South African premiere.
Wolf-Ferrari was
born in Venice of a German father, August Wolf, a painter, and an Italian
mother Emilia Ferrari. When he was 21 he added his mother’s name to his
surname.
He became a
composer of operas and instrumental music, none of it much performed today. His
violin concerto, written in 1943, is however recognised as a work of high
quality. It is traditional in style rather than modern, and is notable for its
lyrical melodies and rich orchestration.
The Durban
performance will be given by the young Italian-American violinist Francesca
Dego, who is regarded as an outstanding interpreter of the composition. She
appeared recently with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the Royal Festival Hall,
London, and her recordings include the Wolf-Ferrari concerto, Paganini’s 24
Caprices, and the Beethoven violin sonatas.
The concert opens
with Mikhail Glinka’s Overture to the opera Ruslan
and Ludmilla. Glinka (1804-1857) is described as the father of Russian
classical music. This opera is an improbable tale about the adventures and
misadventures of a loving Russian couple. The overture is a concert favourite,
very lively and tuneful.
Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony
No. 8, written in 1889, completes the programme. Like almost all of this Czech
composer’s music, it is full of memorable melodies, and the general mood is one
of happiness and cheerfulness.
The usual
pre-concert lecture, illustrated with examples of the music, will be given by
me in the Alhambra Room at the Playhouse at 18h00., finishing about 18h40, in
time for a drink and a snack before the concert begins at 19h30. Entry for the
lecture: R10.
Bookings for the
concert and for season tickets are at Computicket or Checkers or the KZNPO,
phone 031 369 9438. Or you can buy a ticket on the night at the door.- Michael
Green
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