Understandably, it was quite an emotional but equally happy performance and the orchestra (60-strong on this occasion) responded well to all the drama of the work and played their part in this excellent Temmingh celebration. (Review by Keith Millar)
The third concert of the KZN Philharmonic’s Summer Season 2022 was very much a family affair.
The Temmingh family was originally from Holland. But the family immigrated to South Africa in 1958. Since then, they have made a significant impact on the music scene in their new country. They have produced everything from composers and teachers to musicians and conductors.
And three members from this clan were featured on the programme of last night’s KZN Philharmonic’s concert.
The late Roelof Temmingh was regarded as one of South Africa’s foremost composers for many years. He wrote his Piano Concerto in 1995 and it premiered in Johannesburg in 1996.
Performing the Piano Concerto last night was Roelof’s son, Roelof Jnr. Still in his twenties, Roelof Jnr. currently resides in Britain where he is making a name for himself as a concert and chamber pianist.
Completing the Temmingh trio was the conductor for the night, the indomitable Lykele. He joined the KZNPO in its inaugural season in 1983 as a second violinist and after 39 years of service is now the orchestra’s Resident Conductor.
This was the first time that Temmingh’s Piano Concerto has been played in Durban – and I for one hope it is not the last. It is a huge dramatic work filled with wonderful musical fireworks.
Roelof Jnr. played this work with proficiency and understanding. He has obviously played it before and was very much at home at the piano.
The Playhouse’s Bösendorfer piano, which usually sounds a bit clunky, took a thrashing. It responded to the occasion and sounded pretty good.
The main work on the programme was genius Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 OP.74 in b minor, Pathétique.
I am a huge Tchaikovsky fan and almost any of his music sends me to heaven. And this performance by the KZNPO was no different.
Under the baton of Lykele Temmingh, the orchestra’s performance of this tragic and expressive work featured all the dynamics, tone, and virtuosity one expects from this great composition.
The first item on the programme was Leoš Janáček’s Adagio for Orchestra. Despite being regarded along with Dvořák and Smetana as one of the most important Czech composers, I am not too familiar with his music.
As the title would suggest, his Adagio for Orchestra is a slow tempo piece. While it is a graceful and short piece for me, it lacked any real spark.
The final Concert for the KZN Philharmonic Summer Season takes place on March 17,2022. It is an all-Beethoven event with his Piano Concerto No. 1 and his Symphony No.3 “Eroica” on the programme.
Book on-line at Quicket
Complimentary tea and coffee will be served prior to evening concerts and during interval. There is safer parking at the Royal Hotel.
There will be a Tea and Symphony concert for the final rehearsal next Thursday morning (March 17, 2022) at 10h00 in the Playhouse Opera. Tickets R50.
For more information click on the KZNPO advert at the top right of this page or visit http://kznphil.org.za/, email marketing@kznphil.org.za or call 031-369 9438 (office hours). – Keith Millar
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