Super season for symphonies
MUSIC lovers are spoilt for choice with the KZN Philharmonic back in symphony concert mode for its Winter Season which opened last night in the Playhouse Opera theatre. Richly rewarding musical fare is on offer to tempt concert goers to sally forth.
Next Thursday’s concert sees Cape Town-based conductor Brandon Philips on the podium with a programme of 19th Century German and French repertoire, opening with the Overture to Schumann’s only opera, Genoveva.
The acclaimed young Russian cellist Alexander Buzlov takes the solo spot in Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor.
Conrad van Alphen takes the podium on June 21 for a programme that includes Mendelssohn’s enchanting Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sibelius’s Violin Concerto (with another new-generation Russian star, Nikita Boriso-Glebsky, as soloist) and the programme rounds off with the Dvorák Symphony No 5 in F Major, Op 76.
On the recital front, Music Revival in association with Friends of Music presents the distinguished US pianist Spencer Myer in KZN this month. He has established a long career as a recitalist, concerto soloist, lieder accompanist and chamber musician.
Myer’s whistle stop recital tour of KZN will see him performing on Saturday June 16 at 3pm, Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg, on June 17 at 3pm, St Agnes Church, Kloof, and Monday June 18 at 7.30pm, Durban Jewish Centre, Durban. Tickets R100 – R120.
For more information contact Chris (Music Revival) 083 417 4473 (SMS or WhatsApp only) or Keith (Friends of Music) 071 505 1021.
June is youth month and the KZN Youth Orchestra has a Sundowner Classics concert coming up on Friday June 15 at Mt Edgecombe country club in the Sandpiper Room from 6 –7pm. The orchestra comprises young musicians from all around KZN province.
The conductors are Lykele Temmingh and Cathy Peacock. Tickets are R150 including snacks. Book at sihle@kznyo.co.za.
Pianist Christopher Duigan and Spanish saxophonist, David Salleras, will be performing on June 26, at St Agnes Church in, Kloof, June 29 at Duigan’s home studio Casa Mexicana in Pietermaritzburg and on July 1 at the Tatham Art Gallery, and with baritone Federico Freschi on July 3 at the Durban Jewish Centre.
Details of these events will be included in the next edition of this column. Readers can also log on to www.musicrevival.co.za