(KZN
pianist Christopher Duigan launches his 2018 Music revival programme this
evening – January 26 - with a tribute to George Gershwin. Pic by Val Adamson)
Celebrating Gershwin -
The multi-talented American composer and
song-writer George Gershwin (1898 – 1937) remains revered by cross genre music
audiences more than eight decades after his death at the tragically early age
of 38.
An outstandingly gifted artist, Gershwin
won world-wide fame for his music-making which spanned both popular and
classical genres, generating a remarkable spectrum of hits which have stayed
the course of time. Gershwin began his career as a song plugger, but soon
started creating Broadway theatre works with his brother Ira Gershwin and Buddy
DeSylva. He moved to Paris where he began to compose An American in Paris (1928). After returning to New York City, he
wrote Porgy and Bess (1935) with Ira
and the author DuBose Heyward. Initially a commercial failure, the masterwork
is now considered one of the most important American operas of the 20th
century.
Gershwin moved to Hollywood where he
composed numerous film scores during the last phase of his career. His
compositions have been adapted for use in many films and for television, and
several became jazz standards recorded in countless variations. Many celebrated
singers and musicians have performed his songs.
KZN pianist and music entrepreneur
Christopher Duigan opens his 2018 Music Revival programme of monthly concerts
with a concise and fascinating tribute to the man who holds a unique place as a
true crossover composer. Celebrating Gershwin’s contribution to the 'classical'
piano repertoire, Duigan plays the Three
Preludes, the iconic Rhapsody in Blue
(1924), and the richly collated Gershwin
Songbook (1932).
This virtuoso selection of 19 compact
improvisations by Gershwin of his own popular songs, provides a whirlwind
pianistic tour-de-force through his songs. Included are Fascinating Rhythm, The Man I Love, S'Wonderful and I Got Rhythm. Duigan completes the programme with ragtime
music by Scott Joplin and novelty solos Dizzy
Fingers (Zez Confrey) and Nola
(Felix Arndt).
Duigan performs his Gershwin tribute in a
number of venues. The programme kicks off this evening (Friday January 26) at
Casa Mexicana, 35 Montgomery Drive, Athlone in Pietermaritzburg. Tickets
including dinner from 18h30, are R200. Admission is R120 for the concert only
which starts at 19h45. Secure parking is
provided. The programme will be reprised on Sunday (January 28) at 11h30 at
Pietermaritzburg’s Tatham Art Gallery (tickets R80).
Taking his programme to the North Coast,
Duigan appears on Monday (January 29) at 19h00 at Grace Hall Ashton
International College, Albertina Way in Ballito
(opposite Ballito Hospital). Tickets are R150 with coffee and cake
included at interval. Seating is
unreserved.
The Gershwin programme can then be heard on
Tuesday (January 30) at 19h30 at St Agnes Church in Kloof, where admission is
R100 including refreshments at interval. A final performance has been added at
Casa Mexicana, 35 Montgomery Drive, Athlone in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday
February 4 at 15h30. Doors open 15h00. Admission is R100 including iced tea.
Booking essential for each of these recitals: E-mail booking@musicrevival.co.za
or contact Music Revival 083 417 4473 (WhatsApp or SMS only).
On Tuesday February 6, Friends of Music
presents a recital for Oboe and Piano duo, featuring the KZNPO’s new principal
oboist, Myfanwy Price, with pianist Liezl-Maret Jacobs, at the Durban Jewish
Centre, 44 KE Masinga Road. Price and Jacobs will perform a wide-ranging
programme of rarities. These include: David Heath’s The Sapphire, Sonate by Henri Dutilleux, Morceau de Salon by Johann Kalliwoda, Schumann’s Adagio and
Allegro, Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin,
Fantaisie Pastorale by Eugène Bozza, Pieskarieni by Pēteris Vasks, and Variations from Donizetti’s opera La Favorita by Antonio Pasculli.
The evening, which starts at 19h30, will
open with a brief appearance by prelude performer Tyrell Pillay, a talented
young pianist who matriculated from Eden College last year. Tickets at the door
are R100 (members), R120 (non-members) and R20 (students). Secure parking is
provided. For information about further FOM events this year, including
performances by many of our most distinguished classical musicians, log onto http://www.friendsofmusic.co.za/ -
William Charlton-Perkins
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