Spring symphony season
THE KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Durban City Hall for its four-week late Spring Symphony Season, from October 19 until November 16.
The season celebrates Lykele Temmingh’s 30th year as a conductor of the KZN Philharmonic and the 25th anniversary of the Clermont Community Choir.
It features top South African and international musicians in an eclectic programme.
“We are committed to bringing the highest quality symphony concerts to Durban thereby enriching the city and province. We are happy to offer you a mix of international and local talent, both on the podium and as soloists,” said artistic director and chief executive, Bongani Tembe.
“Our line-up of soloists presents some acclaimed newgeneration stars. These include one of the best cellists in the world today, Zuill Bailey; the multi-award winning violinist, Rafał Zambrzycki-Payne; the phenomenal Ukrainian-American pianist, Valentina Lisitsa, whose videos on social media have attracted more than 50 million views; and, by no means least, our own co-principal cellist, Aristide du Plessis.”
The opening concert on Thursday features Lykele Temmingh at the podium, in a programme featuring Emil von Reznícek’s Donna Diana Overture and Dvorák’s Cello Concerto performed by Grammy award-winning American cellist, Zuill Bailey. It concludes with Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3, popularly known as the “Organ Symphony”.
Classic
There is no concert the following week, on Thursday, October 26, because the KZN Philharmonic will be performing in Johannesburg as part of their commitment to working with the JPO for two concerts, on October 26 and 27.
The second concert on November 2, under the baton of German maestro Justus Frantz, features the music of Mozart and Schubert. Violinist Rafał Zambrzycki-Payne, winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition, plays Mozart’s A Major concerto. The concert of November 9 features Smetana’s Má Vlast/ My Country – a set of six symphonic poems; Rachmaninoff ’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Dvorák’s 9th Symphony. The soloist is you-tube sensation, Ukrainian-American Valentina Lisitsa.
The season closes on November 16, in a concert celebrating cello and voice, conducted by Daniel Boico. Rossini’s Semiramide overture opens the programme followed by Camille Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 1 played by the KZN Philharmonic’s associate principal cellist, Aristide du Plessis.
It concludes with Haydn’s masterpiece The Creation, a score infused with a life force that swiftly ensured its honoured place in the annals of choral singing. Among the vocal line-up is Clermont Community Choir.
The morning rehearsals are open to the public each Thursday at 10am, in the Durban City Hall. Entrance for adults is R30/ R10 for pupils, which includes a cup of tea or coffee.
For the concerts themselves, refreshments and light snacks are available in the foyer before the concert and at interval.
Tickets from www. computicket.com, 0861 915 8000, or from Shoprite Checkers Money Market counters. To subscribe, call 031 369 9438. – Staff Reporter