Dramatic KZN work to take a bow
THE KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra this week launched its Early Spring Season that features two top international conductors and premieres a dramatic new work by a Durban composer.
In the opening concert on August 23, gifted young Hong Kong-born conductor Perry So makes his debut with a programme that includes Mozart’s colourful Il Seraglio Overture and his Symphony No. 40. Italian virtuoso Alessandro Taverna is the soloist in Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
Perry So returns for the second programme, on August 30, which includes the L’ile de Tulipatan Overture by Jacques Offenbach. Prizewinning young German violinist Alissa Margulis performs Mendelssohn’s much-loved Violin Concerto and the evening ends with Brahms’s monumental Symphony No. 1.
Acclaimed Russian maestro Daniel Raiskin returns to KZN on September 6 to conduct a programme that includes Richard Strauss’s Don Juan; Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2, with Vitaly Pisarenko as soloist; and Smetana’s The Moldau/Vltava from his symphonic poem, My Homeland.
The programme concludes with Durban composer Warren Bessey’s Symphonic Fantasy, Inkosazane Mkabayi. This 25-minute work focuses on one of the most powerful figures in Zulu history – King Shaka’s formidable aunt, Princess Mkabayi Kajama. She is remembered as a highly intelligent leader and fierce defender of the royal household.
The season ends on September 13, with the KZN Philharmonic’s resident conductor Lykele Temmingh on the podium for the National Youth Concerto Festival, showcasing young South African talent.
This year’s event will be dedicated to the Orchestra’s founding conductor, Dr David Tidboald, who died recently at 92, having spent a lifetime dedicated to fostering the careers of young musicians and promoting musical excellence.
The orchestra’s chief executive and artistic director, Bongani Tembe, said: “In keeping with the proud traditions, our roster of guest artists includes two remarkable conductors from the international circuit, as well as front-line soloists, who will share the stage with a number of our young stars and leading choirs.”
Concerts are at the Durban City Hall each Thursday, between August 23 and September 13, and start at 7.30pm. Season tickets and bookings for individual concerts are through Computicket. For more information, call 031 369 9438, email bookings@kznphil.org. za or visit www.kznphil.org.za. – Staff Reporter