(Rachel Wedderburn-Maxwell)
Performances which were heart-warming, uplifting and
exciting. (Review by Keith Millar)
As one has come to expect, The Hilton Arts Festival this
year offered a wide and eclectic choice of productions to choose from. In fact,
the programme appeared to be even more jam-packed and exciting than ever. As a
result I found that the decision was more a case of what to leave out than what
to see.
New at the festival was The South African Society of Music
Teachers (SASMT) Rising Stars production.
This concert, which is similar to the event which they present in collaboration
with Friends of Music in Durban every year, is designed to showcase the talents
of KZN’s best young classical music students.
The event was held in the Campbell venue on the Hilton College
campus. This new venue is pleasantly roomy and is laid out like a cabaret club
with seating arranged around circular tables.
The line-up for the concert included eight young ladies (no
boys! – all one can say is get with the programme, guys!). All are students
from schools in Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
Given the opportunity to display their talent and skill all
the young stars rose to the occasion and gave performances which were
heart-warming, uplifting and exciting.
At a showcase concert such as this it seems churlish to single
out individuals but based on her shear ability and artistic integrity, mention
must be made of 16-year old pianist. Rachel Wedderburn-Maxwell. Having
deservedly won nearly every age group award available in the country, this
young lady is showing the class which marks her as a future super star.
Her interpretation of Enrique Granados’ Allegro and
Concierto Op 46 was masterful. She showed a dazzling touch at the keyboard with
plenty of power and wonderful sensitivity.
Two other young performers who stood out were both from
Wykeham Collegiate in Pietermaritzburg. They were Yasha Nair playing the flute
and saxophonist Erin Muirhead.
The rest of the programme was made up of Savannah Scoular (recorder),
Chanel Bates (voice), Clarice Van Niekerk (clarinet), Mandy Pitchers and Laurie
Aucamp (piano duo) and Leia Poona (violin). All highly talented and potential
stars of the future.
Well done the SASMT for giving these young stars the
opportunity to display their talents at KZN’s leading arts festival and for allowing
an audience to enjoy their soul-stirring performances. - Keith Millar
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