(William
Charlton-Perkins. Pic by Clinton Marius)
Music for all ages
Music lovers are spoilt for choice with the
KZN Philharmonic back in symphony concert mode for its Winter Season which
opened last week in the Playhouse Opera theatre. Richly rewarding musical fare
is on offer to tempt concert goers to sally forth…
Next Thursday’s concert sees Cape
Town-based conductor Brandon Philips on the podium with a programme of 19th
Century German and French repertoire, opening with the Overture to
Schumann’s only opera, Genoveva. The acclaimed young Russian cellist
Alexander Buzlov takes the solo spot in Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor, and
the evening ends a performance of the Brahms Symphony No 3.
Conrad van Alphen takes the podium on 21
June for a programme that includes Mendelssohn’s enchanting Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
Sibelius’s Violin Concerto (with another new-generation Russian star, Nikita
Boriso-Glebsky, as soloist) and the programme rounds off with the Dvorák Symphony
No. 5 in F Major, Op. 76.
On the recital front, Music Revival in association
with Friends of Music presents the distinguished American pianist Spencer Myer
in KZN this month. Since winning the First Prize in the 2004 UNISA
International Piano Competition, Myer has appeared in South Africa six times,
in tours of recital and orchestral appearances. A native of Cleveland, Ohio,
and a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and the Juilliard School, Mr. Myer
has established a long and respected career as a recitalist, concerto soloist,
lieder accompanist and chamber musician.
Myer’s whistle stop recital tour of KZN
will see him performing on Saturday June 16 @ 15h00 at Tatham art Gallery,
Pietermaritzburg, on Sunday June 17 @ 15h00 ay St Agnes Church, Kloof, and June
18 @ 19h30 at the Durban Jewish Centre, Durban. Tickets (available at the door)
R100 (Members) R120 (Non-Members).
Myer’s programme will include the Sonata in
E Major, Hob. XVI: 31 by Haydn, Debussy’s Estampes,
D’un cahier d’esquisses and Masques L’isle Joyeuse and Chopin’s Four
Scherzi. For more information contact Chris (Music Revival) 083 417 4473 (SMS
or WhatsApp only) or Keith (Friends of Music) 0715051021
Winner of the UNISA International Piano
Competition in 2004 Myer has since been a regular visitor to South Africa. Recent highlights include recitals in Wigmore
Hall London.
(The
KZN Youth Orchestra perform Sundowner Classics next Friday)
June is youth month and the KZN Youth
Orchestra has a Sundowner Classics
concert coming up on Friday June 15 at Mt Edgecombe country club in the
Sandpiper room from 18j00 to 19h00. Well-known classical favourites include
themes such as Ponchelli’s Dance of the
Hours, Schubert’s’ Unfinished Symphony and The Anvil Chorus by Verdi. The popular orchestral items include
such pieces as Take 5, movie music
from Harry Potter and a fun version of Tequila.
The orchestra comprises young musicians from all around KZN province. The
organisers advise that the hour long concert will be played by the 40 piece ‘A’
orchestra but a couple of pieces will include their feeder Shadow orchestra
members as well. The conductors are Lyk Temmingh and Cathy Peacock.
Tickets are R150 and include some delicious
snacks. There is a cash bar. Patrons are encouraged to get to the concert early
in order to partake of the drinks and snacks. Bookings are through
sihle@kznyo.co.za. The KZN Youth Orchestra will be touring to the Eastern Cape
at the end of June. They have a concert in East London at the Guild Theatre on
Wednesday June 27, two concerts in Port Alfred on Thursday June 28 and two
concerts in Grahamstown at the National Arts Festival on Friday June 29 and
Saturday June 30. - William Charlton-Perkins
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