Last Sunday was a perfect day weather wise. The sort of early Winter’s Day that only Durban can produce. Warm and sunny with clear skies and not a puff of wind.
A perfect day to repair to the historical Mariannhill Monastery Church, just outside Pinetown, to listen to some glorious music performed by Durban’s outstanding Baroque 2000 orchestra.
And as usual they delivered. Performing with a smile and a palpable sense of enjoyment they offered a concert which featured the stringed instruments – no woodwinds no brass – just strings.
The concert opened with a superb rendition of Antonio Vivaldi’s unique Sinfonia “Al Santo Sepolcro” RV169.
This intense and dramatic work represents Christ’s pain and suffering and was dedicated by the orchestra to all the suffering in the world, including the victims of the recent Durban floods and those of the Russian/Ukraine conflict.
Georg Philipp Teleman’s contribution to the concert was his bright and cheerful Concerto for 4 violins No. I in G Minor TWV40:201.
Telemann was not only an immensely popular composer, but he is also probably the world’s most prolific writer with over 3600 listed works.
Performed by four violins only this work is one of 80 where he did not use any basso continuo.
Along with the opening work an additional three Vivaldi compositions were included in the programme. These were his Concerto in G minor for Strings RV157, Concerto for 4 Violins No 4 L’ Estro Armonico RV550 and La Follia R63.
Also in the programme was Arcangelo Corelli’s beautiful Concerto Grosso in D Major OP. 6 No. 4. This is a popular and exciting work which was performed with great virtuoso skill by the ensemble.
Of particular note at this concert was the performance of Aristide du Plessis on the cello. The regular cellist with the Baroque 2000 orchestra had to cry off at the last minute and Aristide stepped into the breach. With little or no time for rehearsal, he underlined his wonderful skill and talent with an outstanding performance throughout the concert.
The next Baroque 2000 concert will take place at the Mariannhill Monastery Church on June 26 at 11h30.
Tickets are R170 sold at the door. Children are free.
For more information, contact Michel on 082 303 5241 or email sursouth@iafrica.com - Keith Millar
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