What is playing at Hurley concert
THIS column begins and ends with forecasts about two events which demonstrate the transcendental power of music, as a means of communication between communities, unfettered by the barriers of spoken languages.
An exciting forthcoming musical event this month is the World Religions Concert to be held at Durban’s Emmanuel Cathedral on Monday.
This interfaith concert, commemorating the centenary of Archbishop Denis Hurley’s birth, marks the opening of the Denis Hurley Centre.
The KZN Philharmonic, conducted by Naum Rousine, will be joined by the Clermont Community Choir and the Emmanuel Cathedral Choir.
Performers will include a Buddhist drumming group from Johannesburg; storyteller Gcina Mhlophe and her daughter Kwezi Becker; and singers Linda Bukhosini, Bongani Tembe and Raphael Vilakazi.
They will be joined by children of the six different faith groups participating in this event, including African traditional, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim representatives.
The concert begins as the sun sets with the traditional sunset call to prayer from the neighbouring Juma Mosque; with a response from the church bells.
This will be followed by Buddhist and Zulu drums and orchestral pieces of Jewish and Hindu music; Muslim chanting and Christian and African choral pieces, all combined to show the richness of Durban’s musical and religious heritage.
An overture inspired by the sound of church bells and the Muslim call to prayer has been composed specially for the occasion by the KZN Philharmonic’s manager, John Walton.
The concert’s rousing finale has been composed by Dawn Selby with lyrics by Themi Venturas.
Directed by Venturas, the event is produced by Raymond Perrier and Paddy Kearney.
Only 800 people will be able to experience this unique event, so advance booking is strongly advised.
Safe parking is provided and tickets (R130 each) are available at Computicket. For more information, e-mail concert@denishurleycentre.org.
Meanwhile, Durban’s Friends of Music recital at 7.30pm next Tuesday at the Jewish Centre, 44 K E Masinga Road, features Durban’s Kayser Quartet with pianist and harpsichordist David Smith.
Works to be performed include Beethoven’s String Quartet Opus 18 No 1, Kosviner Zorniger Frieden’s Musica Per Quartetto D’Archi and Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet.
Safe parking is available and booking is at Computicket.
Also note that a performance of Handel’s Messiah will be given by the Pietermaritzburg Amateur Choral Society and City Orchestra at 2.30pm on Sunday, November 15, in the NG Kerk at the corner of Beverley and Morcom roads, Prestbury.
Presented in memory of Joshua Radebe, for many years a leading role-player in the capital’s musical life, the performance will be conducted by Robin Walton.
It will feature soprano Annari van Jaarsveld, mezzo Margi Nel, tenor Smanga Cebekulu and bass Andrew Butler as soloists.
Tickets (R100 each) can be booked by phoning 033 347 5464 or 033 343 1965.
Finally, a reminder that the event of the year on Durban’s classical music calendar takes place on the Playhouse Opera stage from November 17 to 22, with the world premiere run of Ubuntu – The Opera by Juan Burgers.
Experience the splendour of the African voice as South Africa’s finest new-generation singers unite in what promises to be an electrifying big-stage work, performed by a powerhouse cast, with the KZN Philharmonic conducted by Lykele Temmingh.
Funded by the National Lotteries Commission, this historic event is presented by Esayidi TVET College in collaboration with Bravo Africa Entertainment as a 21st anniversary salute to South Africa’s democracy.
Produced by Raphael Vilakazi; designed, directed and choreographed by David Krugel; and featuring musical direction by Burgers, the production honours the strength and ideals of struggle greats.
It looks at Nelson Rolihlaha Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela as it recalls our past, exhorting us to stand united as a rainbow nation – a timely message in the light of current political turmoil in this country.
Tickets range in price from R120 (R90 concessions) and are available at Computicket.