The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra is
half way through its late Spring Season every Thursday at the Durban City Hall
– with two concerts to go, on November 9 and 16.
The third concert is on November 9. On the programme
will be Smetana’s Má Vlast / My Country -
a set of six symphonic poems composed between 1874 and 1879, Rachmaninoff’s
Piano Concerto No. 2 in c minor and Dvorák’s Ninth Symphony.
Soloist is Ukrainian-American Valentina
Lisitsa, a Ukrainian classical pianist, and vocal social commentator, who in
1991 emigrated to America, and then to France. She’s risen rapidly from
relative obscurity in her 20’s to global media and piano stardom in her 40’s:
her website gets hundreds of thousands of hits and her YouTube channel has more
than 170,000 subscribers. She is one of the most frequently viewed pianists on
YouTube – particularly of her recordings of the romantic era composers: Liszt;
Chopin and Rachmaninoff. She launched her career on social media, famously
without signing with a record company / tour promoter.
The Late Spring Season ends on November 16
in a concert celebrating cello and voice, conducted by Daniel Boico. Rossini’s Semiramide overture opens the programme.
One of the two featured pieces is Camille Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 in
a minor. It offers a superb solo platform for the KZN Philharmonic’s Associate
Principal Cellist, Aristide du Plessis.
Haydn’s masterwork and paean to nature, The Creation, a score infused with a
life force that swiftly ensured its honoured place in the annals of choral
singing. It will be performed by a stellar line up of vocalists, and the
Clermont community choir which celebrates its 25th anniversary with the
orchestra.
The KZN Phil continues its primary mission
of bringing excellence in music making to the province of KZN. The Late Spring
Season features top South African and international musicians in an eclectic
programme of amazing music. “We are committed to bringing the highest quality
symphony concerts to Durban thereby enriching the city and province through
music. In true World Symphony Season tradition, we are happy to offer you a
stellar mix of international and local talent, both on our podium and on our
roster of soloists,” says Bongani Tembe CEO and Artistic Director of the KZN
Philharmonic.
Refreshments and light snacks may be
purchased in the foyer before the concert and during interval. Single tickets
are available from www.computicket.com, 0861 915 8000, or from Shoprite
Checkers Money Market counters. It is cheaper to subscribe: For subscriptions
contact 031 3699438.
The morning rehearsals for the early Spring
Symphony Season concerts are open to the public and provide a glimpse into the
preparation needed for a symphony concert. Join the orchestra each Symphony
Season Thursday at 10h00 in the Durban City Hall. Entrance R30 (R10 scholars),
which includes a cup of tea or coffee during the interval. The final rehearsal
is the perfect opportunity to introduce scholars to symphony concerts and also
provides great outings for community groups and retirement homes. Contact the
KZN Philharmonic to enquire about special rates and to make arrangements for
groups. Contact bookings@kznphil.org.za or call the bookings office on 031 369
9438.
(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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