KZNPO WINTER SYMPHONY CONCERT #4: REVIEW

 

This concert, featuring three prominent South African artists: composer Roelof Temmingh, clarinettist Maria Du Toit, and conductor Lykele Temmingh, will surely go down in the pages of South Africa's Music History, and Durban's audience and the KZNPO had the privilege of being part of that experience! (Review by Barbara Trofimczyk)

 

The fourth and last concert of the KZNPO Winter Symphony Season took place in The Playhouse Opera Theatre on June 29, 2023.

 PROGRAMME:

Beethoven - "Egmont Overture"

Temmingh - "Clarinet Concerto"

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No 1

 

Conductor - Lykele Temmingh

Soloist - Maria du Toit

 

Thursday's concert, the last in the orchestra's Winter Season, presented two standard concert items by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, and a world premiere performance of a clarinet concerto by Roelof Temmingh.

On first hearing, it is not easy to pass judgment on a totally unknown contemporary composition! One needs to hear it again!

The first Movement of the concerto, 'Lamentations", deeply expressive with long melodic lines in octaves played by the strings and the unusual exploitation of the low register of the clarinet, was wonderfully played by Ms du Toit and the orchestra, but tended to be rather long, somewhat more like a symphonic movement with clarinet obligato.

The "Scherzando" on the other hand, (a lot shorter!) had all the elements of a clarinet concerto with soloist Maria du Toit, brilliantly leading in true virtuoso fashion, and the orchestra providing some really interesting harmonic textures. A superb performance of this work by both soloist and orchestra.

This concert, featuring three prominent South African artists: composer Roelof Temmingh, clarinettist Maria Du Toit, and conductor Lykele Temmingh, will surely go down in the pages of South Africa's Music History, and Durban's audience and the KZNPO had the privilege of being part of that experience!

Of the other works played, Beethoven's Egmont Overture had a tentative start and needed a faster tempo, while the Tchaikovsky Symphony with its delightful folk-like melodies and colourful orchestration made for relaxed listening to end the concert. - Barbara Trofimczyk

 

NB: The Early Spring Season will present three concerts: August 24 and 31 as well as September 7. Subscribe and save up to 20%. Season tickets can only be purchased through the KZN Philharmonic offices. Call 031 369 9438 or email marketing@kznphil.org.za to secure your seats.

For more information on the orchestra, click on the KZNPO advert at the top right hand side of this page.