MUSIC JPO raises the cultural tone
WORLD-CLASS ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS Experience the passion of renowned international and SA musicians.
he Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), a not-for-profit company and public benefit organisation, has announced the World Symphony Series 2018 Winter Season at the philharmonic orchestra’s home base, the Linder Auditorium in Parktown, Johannesburg, where the Philharmonic has been the resident orchestra since 2004. The season runs from May 30 to June 21.
“We are excited to be continuing with the second leg of our 2018 World Symphony Series, presenting an array of top flight international conductors and soloists to our concert platforms, along with prominent South African artists, while continuing to carry out the orchestra’s broad mission of developing its dynamic artistic vision,” says Bongani Tembe, chief executive and artistic director of the Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestras.
The season, which will see the orchestra performing eight orchestral concerts, will be presented as part of the renowned World Symphony Series which was launched in Durban 22 years ago and introduced to JPO audiences late in 2017. One of four programmes will be presented each week during the season, with Wednesday evening performances reprised the following evening.
The JPO is inviting all to come and experience the passion and personality of the performers, and see how a small setting can make for a huge musical event. Following his JPO debut last season, Boico returns to the orchestra’s podium to open its 2018 Winter Season on May 30 and 31 and what better way to do so than with Shostakovich’s jubilant Festival Overture? Written at lightning speed said to have rivalled even Mozart’s legendary pace, its premiere at the Bolshoi Theatre in 1954 sparked the colourful and richly scored work’s popularity as a concert curtain-raiser sure to increase the pulse of anticipation in an audience.
American composer George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, a signature piece of the first soloist of the season, South Africa’s “Piano Man” Du Plessis, concludes the first half of the programme. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 1 in G Minor Winter Daydreams brings the evening’s programme to a climax. Phillips, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s resident conductor, takes the JPO podium on June 6 and 7. He opens with Beethoven’s powerfully expressive Egmont Overture, one of the last works of the composer’s middle period, written in a style similar to the Fifth Symphony which predated it by two years. Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor follows with the renowned Russian cellist, Buzlov as soloist, and Schumann’s Symphony No 3 Rhenish rounds off the evening on a pastoral note.
The evenings of June 13 and 14 see conductor Van Alphen on the podium, opening his programme with a performance of Mendelssohn’s Ruy Blas Overture. Taking centre stage, the celebrated Russian soloist Boriso-Glebsky takes on the challenges of Sibelius’s towering Violin Concerto, and the season’s third programme rounds off with Dvorák’s Symphony No 5 in F Major Op 76.
Winnes brings the season to a close on June 20 and 21 with pianist Meyer occupying the evening’s solo slot. The season features performances of Glinka’s Summer Night in Madrid Overture, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s exotic symphonic poem, Scheherazade.
Second leg of our 2018 World Symphony Series presents array of top flight international conductors and soloists to our concert platforms, along with prominent South African artists. JPO CEO Bongani Tembe, pictured above
The World Symphony Series 2018 Winter Season’s exquisite programme promises to be one of the most exciting and significant projects undertaken by the orchestra in recent years, Tembe said.
Recently relaunched with a revitalised vision, a new brand identity and a diverse board of directors comprising respected business and community leaders, chaired by Justice Dikgang Moseneke, the JPO was one of South Africa’s leading orchestras.
“This year’s winter season dovetails with our community engagement programmes.
“By presenting a series of world-class concerts, as well as promoting transfer of skills to young musicians, the Johannesburg Philharmonic remains committed to enriching the cultural life of all South Africa’s citizens,” said Tembe.