(Lykele Temmingh)
One of the most
inspiring and heart-warming concerts of the year. (Review by Keith Millar)
The KwaZulu-Natal
Philharmonic Orchestra’s National Youth Concerto Festival which took place at
the Durban City Hall on September 14 must rate as one of the most inspiring and
heartwarming concerts of the year.
Nine of the country’s
very best young musicians showing off their prowess, supported by the fabulous
KZNPO. It is an occasion to marvel at, and celebrate the talent and skill of
the next generation of classical music artists.
The Festival is not
a competition and the only reward the young performers receive is the honour of
taking part in this prestigious event.
The man who
deserves the credit for co-ordinating the event is KZNPO Resident Conductor, Lykele
Temmingh. He has been the selector and conductor for the Festival since 2004. Every
year, he sifts through 60 to 70 applicants and after a stringent auditioning
process selects the participants. He then works with them and the orchestra for
week prior to the concert to ensure that everyone is well prepared for the gala
occasion.
The result of all
the hard work was evident at what was an excellent concert of very impressive
performances by all the young artists. Possibly the lack of the competition
element allowed them to be a little more relaxed as they all displayed wonderful
confidence and poise while sharing the stage with the country’s leading
orchestra.
It was an occasion
when the focus was on the soloists and the orchestra perhaps took a bit of a
back seat. However, this skilled ensemble under the baton of Temmingh was a
constant, powerful and sympathetic source of support for the young performers.
In keeping with the
fact that the Festival is not a competition, there were no winners on the night
and everyone came up trumps and covered themselves in glory. However, I have
two highlights which I wish to mention.
Cameron Williams who
is originally from Pretoria, but is currently studying for a B Mus degree at
the University of Stellenbosch put in a brilliant performance in Allan
Stephenson’s Introduction and Allegro for
soprano sax and strings. South Africa composer Stephenson’s work which he wrote
in 1996 is a beautifully lyrical and accessible piece, and Cameron made the
most of his rousing performance.
My other highlight was
Thomas Mohlamme, a young man with an extraordinary bass voice. He is tall and slender
with a barrel of a chest which generates a wonderful rounded, powerful and
resonant bass voice. He did great justice to Giuseppe Verdi’s Come Dal Ciel Precipita, from Act ll of Macbeth.
The other soloists
who took part in this varied programme were:
Joshua Frank and
Andre Visser who performed Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Oboes in D minor RV 535
with distinction.
Yolisa Ngwexana, a
soprano who sang Mozart’s S’altro che
lagrime from Act ll of La Clemenza di
Tito. A lovely voice but lacking a bit in power.
Alice Clegg who
gave and excellent performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor,
K466.
Danél Dippenaar an outstanding
flautist who played Fantasie for Flute
and Orchestra by French composer Georges Hüe.
Shaw Komori, a superb
trumpeter, played the Trumpet Concerto in A Flat Major by Alexander Arutunian.
Completing the
programme was animated pianist Shaheel Kooverjee performing Rachmaninoff’s
Piano Concerto No 2 in c minor, Op. 18.
The National Youth
Concerto Festival was indeed a festive occasion and an excellent way to ring
down the curtain on the KZNPO Early Spring Season.
The only real
disappointment was that there was not a single young artist from KZN who was
deemed good enough for this concert.
The KZN Philharmonic’s
Late Spring Season starts on October 19, 2017. – Keith Millar
(To link direct to the
KZN Philharmonic’s website click on the orchestra’s banner advert on the top
right hand of the page)
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