CLASSICAL music fans will be spoilt for choice at the Hilton Arts Festival, which runs from September 15 to 17 at Hilton College. Continue reading
Classical music
SAMRO Foundation crowns two exciting new instrumental stars
Johannesburg’s Linder Auditorium came alive with the sound and passion of music on Saturday, August 22, when the two 2016 SAMRO Overseas Scholarships winners were chosen.
Following a tense final round of live performances, saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane (jazz music, left) and marimba player Dylan Tabisher (Western art music, right) were announced as the winners of the two R200 000 scholarships. Continue reading
Durban Symphonic Choir performs at Mariannhill Monastery
The Durban Symphonic Choir under Dr Ros Conrad will present its main event of the year, John Rutter’s stirring Requiem and other sacred music, at 2.30p m on Sunday August 16 at St Joseph’s Cathedral, Mariannhill Monastery. The choir will be accompanied by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Naum Rousine. Tickets at R100 each will be available at the door; children under 12 enter free. Call 082 374 3965 or visit www.durbansymphonicchoir.co.za.
Final concert in the KZN Philharmonic Winter Season
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Semi-finalists sing the tune of a new South Africa
Last week, SAMRO Foundation administrators and a panel of adjudicators completed an intensive selection process – narrowing a pool of 35 applicants to 12 semi-finalists.
On August 27 these talented South African vocalists – six in Western Art (“classical”) music and six in Jazz – will compete live during the intermediate round of the Foundation’s annual Overseas Scholarships Competition. One singer in each category will claim the ultimate prize: a R170 000 study award and the opportunity to accelerate their journey towards artistic and creative excellence.
The SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition has evolved much over 53 years. This evolution has followed South Africa’s compelling journey towards a unique cultural identity that reflects our history, our struggles, triumphs and visibility on the global stage.
“We are now starting to hear a truly South African sound,” says Andre Le Roux, managing director of the SAMRO Foundation. “This year, SAMRO Foundation administrators and adjudicators took note of and were impressed by several candidates who chose South African compositions for their competition repertoire.
“Compared to previous years, there seems to be increased appreciation of South African composition. For us as a Foundation within Africa’s largest music rights organisation and composers’ society, this is proof that we’re doing impactful work to preserve our rich heritage and shape the new inclusive voice of our country.”
All 12 semi-finalists are between 22 and 30 years of age and are pursuing their passion as top achievers in the music world. Many have already honed their musical prowess as professional performers.
This year’s top six in the Jazz music category are:
Amy Campbell (UCT)
Mikhaela Kruger (UCT)
Palesa Modiga (UCT)
Nelmarie Rabie (TUT and UP)
Kwena Ramahuta (UKZN)
Amy Walton (UCT)
The Western Art music category’s semi-finalists are:
Khanyiso Gwenxane (TUT and UCT)
Andiswa Makana (TUT)
Nombuso Ndlandla (NWU)
Levy Sekgapane (UCT)
Makudupanyane Senaoana (UCT)
Victoria Stevens (UCT)
Four finalists – two in each category – will compete for top prizes on August 29 at the Linder Auditorium. This thrilling final round is open to the public, features live accompaniment, special guests and performances of a selection of musical works including a South African composition specially commissioned for the occasion.
The SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition rotates every year between awards for vocalists (2011, 2015), instrumentalists (2012, 2016), keyboard players (2013, 2017) and composers (2014, 2018).
Three SAMRO Overseas Scholarship winners have been recognised as Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipients, and countless others have gone on to pursue successful professional careers as internationally renowned Western Art and Jazz musicians.
KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra to delight classical music fans
THE KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing a number of concerts at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
At 6 pm on July 4, the orchestra will present a Symphony Concert, conducted by Bernhard Gueller and featuring soloist, Joanna Franklin (violin), in the Guy Butler Theatre at Monument.
The programme includes: Hendrik Hofmeyr’s Preludio e Umsindo; Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35; and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, in G major, Op. 88. Tickets range from R70 to R100.
At 2 pm and 7.30 pm on July 5, in the Guy Butler Theatre, the orchestra will present The (He)art of the Matter.
The concert will be conducted by Richard Cock and features soloists, Magdalene Minnaar (soprano), Timothy Moloi (tenor) and Nicholas Nicolaidis (tenor). The programme includes a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Gershwin’s S’Wonderful, S’Marvellous, A Whole New World, Unforgettable, What A Wonderful World and The Lady is a Tramp.
Tickets are R70 (R65 concessions). A percentage of proceeds from this concert will be donated to the Theatre Benevolent Fund, a charity which provides care and comfort to performers who find themselves incapacitated and destitute through illness.
Cock will also conduct the orchestra in a Gala Concert in the Guy Butler Theatre at 3 pm on July 5.
The soloists are Musa Ngungwana (baritone), this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, Sorin Osorean (horn), Boris Kerimov (cello) and Magdalene de Vries (marimba). The programme will include Peter Klatzow’s I am an African and Tiniyane — a story for orchestra. Tickets are R70 to R100.
At 5 pm on July 5 the orchestra will be performing Heroes and Villains, a children’s concert, in the Monument Fountain Foyer. This interactive educational concert will feature popular music and famous themes from TV and the silver screen, including Pirates of the Caribbean, James Bond, Star Wars and Superman. Admission is free.
Members of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic — Frankel, Violeta Osorhean (violin), David Snaith (viola), Kerimov, Annelize de Villiers (clarinet) and percussionists, Stephane Pechoux, Jorge Renes Lopez, Joshua Kim and Thando Nkangana — will give a concert celebrating the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The programme will include Ravel’s String Quartet in F major, Steve Reich’s Drumming (1st movement), and David Bruce’s Clarinet Quintet Gumboots.
The recital will take place in the Rhodes Chapel at 7 pm on July 5 and 3 pm on July 7. Tickets are R70 (R65 concessions).
Bookings are open and can be made via the website:http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. Ticketing call centre: 0860 002 004
Pick up a Festival programme and booking kit from selected Standard Bank and Exclusive Books. The full programme is online at http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
David Salleras and Chris Duigan launch new album at the Tatham
11 am on Sunday, June 21.
The concert will include selections from the album, world music from Spain and Argentina, film music and more. Cafe Tatham opens at 10 am and there is secure parking at the gallery. Indigo will be available for R100.