(David
Snaith, Yura Litvinenko, Elena Kerimova, Kirsten Sayers & Boris Kerimov)
On June 25, Friends of Music will present
the KZNPO Ensemble featuring eight of KZN’s finest musicians.
The ensemble will feature Elena Kerimova
(violin); Christopher Duigan (piano); David Snaith (viola); Kirsten Sayers
(clarinet); Boris Kerimov (cello); Sorin Mircea Osorhean (horn); Yura
Litvinenko (double bass), and Charl van der Merwe (bassoon).
The programme will feature Franz Schubert’s
Piano Quintet In A Major, D667 The Trout
and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Septet for Strings and Woodwinds in Eb. Op. 20.
Franz Schubert (1797-1828): In the summer
of 1819, Schubert travelled with the famous baritone Johann Michael Vogl to the
river town of Steyr, where there was an abundance of musical activity. Schubert
and Vogl's performance of the some of the composer's songs - especially Erlkönig and Die Forelle (The Trout) -
attracted the notice of Sylvester Paumgartner, a wealthy mining executive and
an accomplished cellist, who then commissioned Schubert to write a quintet
based on The Trout. The resulting
"Trout" quintet - scored for the unusual combination of piano,
violin, viola, violoncello, and double bass - has become one of Schubert's more
enduring chamber works.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770- 1827): One of
the last works Beethoven wrote before he became aware of his encroaching
deafness, the Septet is a light-hearted work in the spirit of the 18th century
serenade. Beethoven had it premiered in the same concert in which he unveiled
his Symphony No.1. The Septet was an immediate success, and the composer later
expressed certain resentment toward this work, remarking that its popularity
eclipsed more deserving compositions. Nevertheless, the Septet is an
interesting work, filled with youthful energy and containing engaging and
attractive solos for the instrumentalists.
Elena Kerimova (violin) was born in Russia and
relocated to South Africa in 1999 to take up a co-principal position with the
KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. She has become a firm favourite with audiences
displaying a dazzling technical ability and infectious stage personality.
David Snaith (viola) was born in the UK. He
has worked extensively with orchestras in the UK and in South Africa. He was
appointed principal viola of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in 2009.
Boris Kerimov (cello) was born in Russia.
Since 1999, he has held the position of principal cellist of the KZNPO and has
appeared as a soloist with them on many occasions.
Yura Litvinenko (double bass) was born in
Ukraine and graduated from the Kiev Music Academy in 1993. He joined the KZNPO
in 2002 and is the current Principal bassist.
Christopher Duigan (piano) is widely
regarded as one of South Africa's leading concert pianists. He has performed extensively
with all leading South African orchestras and international orchestras in a
repertoire of more than 25 concerti.
Christopher is a Steinway Artist.
Kirsten Sayers (clarinet) was born in
Pietermaritzburg. She joined KZNPO in 2005. She is currently a member of the
Orchestra’s Executive Board. Kirsten is also a member of the well-known jazz
combo Platform Jazz.
Sorin Mircea Osorhean (French horn) is a
Romanian musician with a rich experience as a soloist and as an orchestra
player. He is currently the Principal French horn player with the KZNPO.
Charl van der Merwe (bassoon) was a member
of the National Youth Orchestra and Stellenbosch Chamber Music Festival from
2005 to 2014. He is currently Acting Principal bassoonist for the KZNPO.
The concert takes place at 19h30 on June
25, 2019, at the Durban Jewish Centre, 44 KE Masinga (Old Fort) Road. Tickets
R100 to R120 (available at the door). There is safe parking.
For more information contact Keith Millar
on 071 505 1021.
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