KZN PHILHARMONIC 2018 WINTER SEASON

(Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive and Artistic Director)

The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra is about to launch its four week 2018 Winter Season to run in the Playhouse Opera Theatre, each Thursday, between June 7 and 28, starting at 19h30 as part of the Orchestra’s renowned World Symphony Series (WSS) which was launched in Durban 22 years ago.

“We are excited to present the second leg of our 2018 World Symphony Series, with a roster of top flight international conductors and soloists to our concert platform, along with prominent South African artists, whilst continuing to carry out the KZN Philharmonic’s Orchestra’s broad mission of developing its dynamic artistic vision,” says Bongani Tembe, the Orchestra’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director.

“We continue to focus on offering music-making of the highest excellence to the city of Johannesburg. This endeavour dovetails with our community engagement programmes. By presenting a series of world-class concerts, as well as promoting transfer of skills to young musicians of all races, the KZN Philharmonic remains committed to enriching the cultural life of our citizen,” he adds.

Associated Guest Conductor Daniel Boico launches the Winter Season on June 7, 2018, with Beethoven’s powerful Egmont Overture. Written to accompany a performance of Goethe’s drama of the same title, it is one of the last works of the composer’s middle period, similar in style to the Fifth Symphony which predated it by two years. A superb showcase for award-winning Italian virtuoso, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, the statuesque grandeur of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor promises to be an exciting centrepiece to the evening’s programme, which concludes with a performance of the Symphony No 1 by the Russian composer, Alexander Borodin.

Conductor Brandon Philips makes his bow on the podium on June 14, 2018, with a programme of 19th Century German and French repertoire on. Robert Schumann’s Overture to his only Opera, Genoveva, makes a welcome appearance as the evening’s curtain-raiser, before the renowned Russian soloist, Alexander Buzlov takes the spotlight to perform Édouard Lalo Cello Concerto in D minor. Brahms’ Symphony No 3 rounds off the programme.

Pretoria-born maestro Conrad van Alphen opens the programme on June 21, 2018, with a performance of Mendelssohn’s mercurial Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture. Taking centrestage, the celebrated Russian soloist Nikita Boriso-Glebsky takes on the challenges of Sibelius’s towering Violin Concerto, and the season’s third programme rounds off with Dvořák: Symphony No 5 in F Major Op 76.

The season concludes on June 28, 2018, with the Norwegian conductor, Catherine Winnes, on the podium for a programme featuring Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture, Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, and a potpourri of vocal music. This showcases a quartet of soloists namely Nozuko Teto, Siphokazi Maphumulo, Ntokozo Mhlongo, Khulekhani Khumalo and Andile Dlamini together with four of Durban’s finest choirs – Prince Mshiyeni Choir, Thokozani Choral Society, Clermont Community Choir and the Durban Symphonic Choir. Two great Handel items – the imposing Coronation Anthem, Zadok the Priest, and Merab’s haunting aria, Author of Peace, from the oratorio Saul – combine with the deeply moving Lacrimosa from Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s exhilarating The Heavens Are Telling from The Creation – to offset three visceral contemporary items by South Africa composers Bokwe, Mnomiya and Sibisi. An uplifting end to the season. This concert will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of former president Nelson Mandela.

Season tickets and booking for individual concerts in KZN Philharmonic’s 2018 Winter Season through Computicket. Call 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com For more information call 031-369 9438, email bookings@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za

Listings – concerts take place in the Playhouse Opera:

Concert ONE

June 7, 2018

Conductor: Daniel Boico

Soloist: Antonio Pompa Baldi

Featured instrument: Piano

Programme: Beethoven: Egmont Overture; Beethoven Piano Concerto No3 in c minor, Op37; Borodin Symphony No1 in E-Flat major

Conductor: Conrad van Alphen

Pre-concert lecture: Dr Teddy Pillay.

Tea and Symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10h00. Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners (R15 learners and students)

Concert TWO

June 14, 2018

Conductor: Brandon Phillips

Soloist: Alexaner Buzlov

Featured instrument: Cello

Programme: Schumann Overture to Genoveva, Op 81; Lalo Violincello Concerto in d minor; Brahms Symphony No3 in F Major, Op 90

Pre-concert lecture:

Tea and Symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10h00. Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners (R15 learners and students)

Concert THREE

June 21, 2018

Soloist: Nikita Boriso Glebsky

Featured instrument: Violin

Programme: Mendelssohn Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op 21; Sibelius Violin Concerto in d minor, Opus 47; Dvořák: Symphony No 5 in F Major Op 76.

Pre-concert lecture:

Tea and Symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10h00. Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners (R15 learners and students)

Concert FOUR

June 28, 2018

Conductor: Catherine Winnes

Soloist: Various

Featured instrument: Voice

Programme: potpourri of vocal classics

Pre-concert lecture:
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