Concerto Issue 15

OFFICI A L M AG A ZINE OF T HE C A PE TOW N PHILH A R MONIC ORCHEST R A

#ISSUE 15

The

roaring LOCAL IS

Lekker

CAPE TOWN'S STAR TEENAGERS

2020s

CONCERT DETAILS OF THE NEW YEAR Page 9 - 11

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COMING of AGE MASIDLALE TURNS TEN Page 7

PARTNERING

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COMMERCE THE ORCHESTRA & CAPE TOWN BUSINESS Page 2

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INTERNATIONAL SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

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ANTONI WIT POLISH PASSION Page 9

A World Full of Visiting Virtuosos

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fter each concert, audience members ask us: “Where do you get hold of these wonderful soloists?” The answer is easy… from all over the world. And most of them approached us, we’re not begging them to come and perform in Cape Town!

searching for the mystery and magic that is life, they will be inspired and enchanted by the arts. Not all the technology in the world will overtake our desire to connect with our inner self through live music.

Early in the new year, the iconic cellist Yo Yo Ma his bringing his magic to Kirstenbosch. Unfortunately, his current world tour does not include appearances with orchestras, but the artists performing with the CPO in 2020 deserve as much support and attention.

Among them is the legendary Polish conductor Antoni Wit, who will visit Cape Town for the first time.

The truth is that the world is full of brilliant young musicians capable of delivering world-class performances, eager to share their exceptional talent with the world, and they’re willing to travel from places as remote as the southern tip of Africa to Reykjavik in Iceland (where a colleague recently experienced classical music concerts of the highest order).

Since the Middle Ages instrumentalists, troubadours and minstrels travelled from town to town to bring music and entertainment to the inhabitants of civilizations all over the world. And after centuries, nothing has changed. The quality is getting better and better. Despite wars, hunger, strife, economic hardship, division and the disruption of the current world order, the appetite for art, music and creativity is constantly growing.

CAPE TOWN’S VIBRANT CONCERT CULTURE

Live concerts bring something special to Cape Town, even in these times of disruption and uncertainty. One of the CPO’s main goals is to maintain a vibrant concert culture in the city. How often have you sat through a soothing concert while it felt that the weight of your daily problems was falling off your shoulders — at least for the duration of

CO N C ERTO EDITORIAL TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE & EDITOR IN CHIEF LOUIS HEYNEMAN louis@cpo.org.za

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR JOHANN M SMITH johann@digitalshelf.biz

MARKETING & MANAGING EDITOR SHIRLEY DE KOCK GUELLER shirley@cpo.org.za

ASSISTANT EDITOR MARY FREW mary@cpo.org.za

CPO ARTISTIC EXECUTIVE SERGEI BURDUKOV sergei@cpo.org.za

CONSULTING EDITOR ANJE RAUTENBACH anje@digitalshelf.biz

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the concert?

Your support will help us to keep our concert life thriving and make sure these miracle musicians keep on coming!

As long as human beings are

LOUIS HEYNEMAN

ALL INFORMATION WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS, BUT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL, INCLUDING PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING OR BY ANY INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR.

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WITH COMMERCE

his year’s Huberte Rupert Memorial Concert will celebrate the centenary of the birth of one of South Africa’s foremost arts and music philanthropists, Huberte Rupert.

The CPO’s latest Spectacular concert was an indication of the way in which the CPO is making itself relevant to commerce and industry as evidenced by its partnership with the Cape Chamber of Commerce. Two other businesses are equally at home in relationships with the CPO. Michael Kovensky, Chairman of the Kove Collection, has pledged to donate to the orchestra over six years which will see his company shortly in the Gold category.

“There are numerous challenges in all communities — maintaining the CPO is one of the challenges that must be met. Whilst classical music is often not seen as mainstream, the orchestra fulfils a vital role for the knowledgeable and not-so-knowledgeable at its concerts and in its outreach programmes. At the very least it demonstrates the amazing teamwork that can be and is achieved under the direction of the conductor — teamwork and cooperation is what every community needs,” he says.

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“Perhaps most importantly, music speaks to the entire community in a language that it can understand; it provides the opportunity for talented individuals to experience, hear and participate. Without the CPO this opportunity will be lost.”

The Kove Collection of hotels and restaurants is a vital collaboration for leisure-seekers in pursuit of world-class hospitality and unique dining experiences and has the same discerning audience and level of excellence as the CPO. It is a perfect fit.

Nic Barrow of Le Lude, the producers of a premium MCC, has been donating not only funds for fees of artists (including that of Luis Magalhães) but also, for several years now, the premium sparkling wine to artists on the CPO stage. Nic’s involvement stems from his love for the arts and has extended to the Johannesburg Philharmonic as well.

“I initiated the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival in Oudtshoorn and chaired it for six. Then I introduced the annual and more specific Klein Karoo Classique, a classical musical festival,” he says.

Barrow also established and also chaired the Outdshoorn Music Society for more than ten years.

To receive regular newsletters with event information simply email your request with your details to info@cpo.org.za or visit our website www.cpo.org.za You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2019 © CONCERTO MAGAZINE

PUBLIC & CORPORATE FUNDERS, DONATIONS IN KIND, PARTNERS & MEDIA PARTNERS

LOCAL IS

lekker Three young Cape Town pianists, all destined for stardom, will be featured as soloists with the CPO on 18 June in a unique concert of three piano concertos.

Mike Wang, Leo Gevisser and Qden Blaauw have all performed with the Orchestra before, but this is their professional concert debut

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ith a host of young international artists, Cape Town can celebrate the calibre of its own teenage tigers. Joining such emerging LGT Young Soloists are South African pianists Qden Blaauw, Mike Wang and Leo Gevisser. Although Mike was born in China and Leo is studying in America, Cape Town can lay claim to them!

Leo (b. 2002) moved from Cape Town to Cleveland in 2017 to further his musical studies which he began at Bishops (piano and violin) and then at the age of 11 studied piano with Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhães. He is now a member of the Young Artists Program at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he takes college courses. Leo has received master classes from Menahem Pressler and Antonio Pompa-Baldi, and attended several international music festivals and has performed with the CPO. Leo’s been committed to the Masidlale project and has performed concerts in Cape Town in aid of the young musicians. “South Africa is home in my heart, I long for and dream of the landscape, the food and the people I love. I love performing here, because many audience members have known me all my life and I feel joy and comfort sharing music with them in a way that is different to performing in America,” he says.

In 2019 he won the Grand Prize at The 2019 Baltimore International Piano Festival Competition which includes a recital at Carnegie Hall, and with his chamber music group, Arcus Trio, the Grand Prize at the 6th Coltman Chamber Music Competition. South African prizes include the 2016 gold at the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition.

His American teachers are justifiably proud of him: Professor Kathryn Brown, head of Keyboard Studies, Cleveland Institute of Music, notes that “Leo performs with a poetic maturity… His interpretations can truly mesmerise and transport the listener.” For Dr Daniel Shapiro, “Not only is Leo exceptionally talented and sensitive, but he is also a born performer. He rises to each occasion and gives a special dimension to his performances.”

Mike (Zi Ning) Wang was born 2006 in China where he started piano lessons at the age of 5. In 2015 he came to South Africa and became a student of Mario Nell.

In 2017 and 2018, he was the overall winner of the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition, at the age of ten the youngest ever overall winner of the competition. He was also awarded respectively all, or most, of the special prizes. Mike made his debut as soloist with the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra in 2017.

He has performed as a soloist in the Oude Libertas Summer Concert Series and with the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in 2018 in the Suidoosterfees. With Qden Blaauw, he won the prize for the Best Classical Performance at the festival.

In 2018, he was a soloist with the Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra three times and gave several recitals in the city and beyond.

Mike was one of three chosen young pianists who received a public masterclass from Valentina Lisitsa when she visited Cape Town two years ago, says Louis Heyneman. “The youngest of the three participants, it became abundantly clear he is exceptionally talented and is destined to become a first-class pianist. His inner

musicality and technical ability at such a young age is simply astounding.”

Qden Blaauw (b. 2004) began playing the piano at the age of 8 and has been a student of Shane Goodall since 2014.

Qden, a composer as well as a violinist, already has won many awards including first prizes at the 2016 Great Composers’ International Competition; first prize and many others at the 2016 SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition; first prize in the junior category of the 2018 Johann Vos Music Competition; third prize at the 2018 Hennie Joubert Piano Competition, and second prize in The National Youth Music Competition.

With Mike Wang, he was awarded a trophy for the best classical performance in the 2018 Suidoosterfees; and in 2019 he won first prize in the Pieter Kooij Music Competition.

He has already performed as a soloist with the CPO, the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, the Free State Symphony Orchestra and the Hugo Lambrechts Orchestra, in the Suidoosterfees with the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and as a guest artist at the Sun City Superbowl. Qden was invited to perform in Saarlouis, Germany, at the Klein Karoo Klassique, and received master classes from Lang Lang, Valentina Lisitsa and Spencer Myer as well as Nina Schumann, Luis Magalhães, Liezl-Maret Jacobs and Jan Hugo.

For Shane Goodall, "Qden has an innate understanding and love for music and has already reached an astonishingly high level of piano playing for someone so young – his musical intelligence and passion will take him far."

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notes

have your say With Instagram and Twitter, Facebook continues to be a valuable tool, attracting so many positive comments...

JORDAN BROOKS ON TOP The CPYO’s Concertmaster, Jordan Brooks, won the 2019 National Youth Music Competition.

Runners-up were pianists Gerhard Joubert and Daniel Brodie.

AN EVOLUTIONARY PURPOSE Suzanne Aucamp, CPO Business Development and Fundraising Executive, speaks about our unrelenting commitment to youth

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ho is ultimately responsible for helping our young people — and how? It’s a collective responsibility even if we feel that what we do is insignificant in the face of the great need. It’s not. Learning classical music is a means to overcome obstacles and allows learners to achieve high levels of success.

A study by Malcom Gladwell in his book, Outliers, proves that children from less affluent backgrounds do not have the same opportunities to develop a broader world view when compared to children from more affluent backgrounds, even when receiving the same education in the same school.

Therefore, CPO is unrelenting in its commitment to its Youth Development and Education Programme, established in 2003. The programme provides music education and performance opportunities to hundreds of children from disadvantaged backgrounds from the city to the West Coast and the townships. Six days a week, the CPO provides quality music education in a safe environment for talented young musicians and safe after-school activities for learners from less prosperous schools. Mastering an instrument builds confidence in one’s abilities and gives the thrill of success, while performance opportunities require skill and discipline. Just look at the glowing

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face of a young musician who know they have performed well.

In short, the CPO equips young musicians with the necessary experience to thrive in any sphere.

Join us on our journey to reach more and more young people. Generosity is not only about financial capacity. Time, effort and sharing are just as valuable.

We need you to champion our cause and change lives. Share your CPO journey with friends and acquaintances and touch the hearts of those hearing about it for the first time. Make them aware that that they, too, are uniquely placed to secure the success of the orchestra — whether they support the future of a musician, a young person equipping him- or herself as a music teacher, or a young child trying to escape violence.

Together we can make a difference. Take the necessary steps to build hope for the future. To evolve as a nation, we need to care about something greater than ourselves. And, in giving, we discover our purpose. ............................................................................

To become involved in the youth programmes or to support the orchestra so that there can always be an orchestra in these young people’s future careers, contact Suzanne Aucamp on 021 410 9826 | suzanne@cpo.org.za

“The opportunities afforded to these young musicians are fantastic and with absolute enthusiasm and passion they've grabbed it with open arms. Well done to all.”

Cliff English on Facebook on the CPYO Rotary Youth Concerto Festival “The only way to become an accomplished artist is to start young. You are well on your way, never ever give up.”

Johan Kieser on Facebook on the Masidlale learners writing UNISA exams

"Today our entire student body was entertained by the amazing Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra led by Maestro Brandon Phillips who is the resident conductor and leader of this talented group of instrumentalists."

Rallim Prep on Facebook "Amazing, wonderful, fantastic and exciting, so many of these but this one summed it up. Your show was spectacular, it was a joy and delight from beginning to end! The CPO's talented performers were exceptional I am in awe of the world class talent. Bravo bravo!"

Gillian Garisch on Facebook on our CPO Spectacular "We were amazed at the talent of the youth playing a very difficult piece of music. Well done, there is hope for us."

Wolfgang Brechlin on Facebook "Antonio Cheng Guang is not only virtuoso pianist, but also a thoughtful interpreter."

Gretha Albers on Facebook "Well done Jordan [Brooks]. Super impressed with your talent!"

Dean Skippers on Facebook "Watched the live feed on the NYMC website.

What fantastic sound and videography."

Erika Suter on Facebook

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

info@cpo.org.za

ALEXANDER GILMAN DEVELOPING NEW TALENT

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egular visiting violin soloist Alexander Gilman recently joined the Royal College of Music. He has one aim in life — and that’s to help as many young musicians as possible to shine.

Gilman, who established the LGT Young Soloists in 2013 and has since been artistic director, is bringing two of them to Cape Town: the Polish cellist, Oliwia Meister and Malaysian violinist, Miclen LaiPang. Both Oliwia and Miclen are amongst the stars of LGT today gaining orchestral experience with their ensemble and training how to be a good soloist and chamber musician.

For Gilman, finding this talent isn’t the issue. “It’s choosing the three or four from the hundreds of applications we get each year because we are lucky enough to be considered as one of the leading youth projects in the world.”

Alexander Gilman, mentor to many young musicians, among them Polish cellist Oliwia Meister (top right), and Malaysian violinist Miclen LaiPang (right).

It’s not the first time the CPO has benefited from these young people.

They share the objective to give performance opportunities to the next

generation of concert artists. Gilman is only too delighted that his favourite symphony orchestra, the one with which he won a Diapason d’Or, is a partner and hopes to continue to share artists.

“In 2017 the CPO presented violinist David Nebel (born in 1996) and cellist Danielle Akta (born in 2002), in concerts everyone loved. David has gone on to become a leading soloist in his own right and recorded a CD with the London Symphony. Danielle has been handpicked by Daniel Barenboim for his Academy in Berlin and is supported strongly by Vladimir Spivakov and plays around the world.”

“WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ONE OF THE LEADING YOUTH PROJECTS IN THE WORLD"

Gilman says that today an artist needs to be more than just a good musician.

“Oliwia and Miclen both have the full package,” Gilman says. “They have technical ability and the ability to control their instruments at the highest level.

They also have a beautiful sound, profound musicality, stage presence and personality.

"They can connect with an audience.”

Other Concerts VISIT CPO.ORG.ZA FOR MORE INFORMATION VIENNESE NEW YEAR 5 JAN, CITY HALL 11 JAN, OUDE LIBERTAS

CPO AT KIRSTENBOSCH 19 JAN

LA BOHÈME

WITH CAPE TOWN OPERA 14 - 22 FEB

STARLIGHT CLASSICS VERGELEGEN 28 - 29 FEB

CPO WITH KAREN ZOID

STELLENBOSCH WOORDFEES 8 MAR

DUET BENEFIT GALA WITH CAPE TOWN OPERA KIRSTENBOSCH 22 MAR

FIDELIO

WITH CAPE TOWN OPERA 27, 29 MARCH

Stephenson’s Seventy A stalwart of the Cape Town music scene turns 70

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orn in England, Allan Stephenson came to South Africa as subprincipal cello in 1973 and then became one of this country’s favourite musical sons.

Composer, conductor and cellist, he has made his mark. His compositions range from orchestral overtures, symphonies and concerti to ballet, opera, chamber music and works for choirs. To date, he has composed well over 200 works including overtures for all the major cities in South Africa.

The CPO has performed many of his works, including his Concerti for Bassoon and Guitar, for Violin and for Cello along with his Johannesburg Overture.

He began composing when he was seven, but “nothing of any great shakes until I joined the local youth orchestras,” he says. Then there was nothing stopping him. He entered the Royal Manchester College of Music in 1968, gaining not only his ARMCM but the experience of

playing in an orchestra and hearing what worked from both orchestration and composition points of view. He conducted his First Symphony in 1980, and that was the start of his third career. He then taught at the SA College of Music at UCT. He has recorded many of his works with the Cape Town Symphony and the former SABC Orchestra and made several CDs with Donald Graham and Claremont Records.

Says Louis Heyneman, CEO of the CPO: “For the past four decades Allan Stephenson has been a stalwart of the Cape Town music scene, first as member of the orchestra and later as composer, arranger and conductor. His flair for orchestration and accessible style carry his unique fingerprint as composer of a large body of works: concertos for various instruments, chambers music and orchestral arrangements.”

Congratulations, Allan, on achieving your 70th birthday on December 15, 2019.

May you continue to compose works for all to enjoy for many years.

MUSIC Memoirs CPO resident conductor Brandon Phillips receives a "billet-doux" from Nike Wagner Our resident conductor and the music director of the Youth Orchestra, Brandon Phillips, is collecting memories and souvenirs such as hand-written letters from Nike Wagner to mark his contribution to the Beethoven Festival in Bonn where he conducted the Bundesjugendorchester of Germany. Back in South Africa, he is a man on the go, from community spectacular concerts to ballet, from schools concerts to playing the bassoon in the CPO’s symphony seasons.

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Magic

Melting P T

The vibrant colours of Cape Town’s local talent as seen in the CPO’s Community Spectacular. The latest concert again showcased artists from diverse backgrounds, performing all musical genres.

Photos: Jeffrey Abrahams & Joan Ward To survive in the 21st century, the multi-functional CPO must embrace all Cape Town’s artists and genres. By staying relevant the orchestra will ensure its future as an asset to the city of Cape Town. The latest Community Spectacular was presented in collaboration with the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry — featuring artists from Zip Zap circus, Township Opera, Asili Vocal Ensemble and a host of emerging local artists.

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Turns 10 Established in 2008 and launched to great fanfare on Table Mountain in May 2009, Masidlale has grown from one small project of teaching the Suzuki violin method to three campuses. Based at Artscape serving learners from townships Langa, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and Nyanga, at Prestwich School in Green Point, and on the West Coast at Mamre and Pella, the projects embrace mother tongue lessons, and theory in violin, viola, recorder, flute, trumpet and trombone. There are seven teachers, one community arts manager and two interns, while the hundred learners are between the ages of seven and sixteen. Concerts each year show how the project has become part of the fabric of music education to children from disadvantaged areas. Abounding with talent, several have graduated to the Music Academy and to junior ensembles. Many have also passed external UNISA and Trinity examinations.

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2020 CONCERT CALENDAR

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14 TH INTERNATIONAL

Summer Music Festival

23

JANUARY THU 8PM CITY HALL

WIENIAWSKI'S FINEST

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CONDUCTOR BRANDON KEITH BROWN SOLOIST VERIKO TCHUMBURIDZE (VIOLIN)

THU 8PM CITY HALL

MENDELSSOHN Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage WIENIAWSKI Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1 in E minor

JANUARY

BEETHOVEN REFIGURED CONDUCTOR BERNHARD GUELLER SOLOIST LUIS MAGALHÃES (PIANO)

The audience favourite and laureate of the 2012 Sir George Solti International Conductors’ Competition, BRANDON KEITH BROWN combines American spirit with German musical tradition. His career takes him from orchestras such as the Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin and the WDR Funkhaus Orchestra to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Nürnberger Symphoniker, the Tokyo Philharmonic and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

MOZART Overture, Don Giovanni BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto in D (transcribed for Piano) PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 5 in B flat

At the age of 20, Turkish violinist VERIKO TCHUMBURIDZE won the Gold Medal at the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition three years ago. This followed several major wins in other competitions such as the 7th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians — and lead to invitations to perform in festivals such as the Beethoven Easter and Gstaad Menuhin festivals. She has recorded for Sony.

Principal guest conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic and Music Director Laureate of Symphony Nova Scotia in Halifax, BERNHARD GUELLER, continues to impress musicians and audiences with his authority, interpretations and stature. His distinguished career has taken him to leading orchestras around the world.

A Yamaha artist, the Portuguese-born pianist LUIS MAGALHÃES has achieved critical acclaim as both a soloist and a chamber musician.

He has performed extensively across Europe as well as in Brazil, South Africa, China, Japan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and, on numerous occasions, the United States.

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SUN 8PM CITY HALL

SUN 8PM CITY HALL

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MAGNIFICENT MOZART

EVOCATIVE TCHAIKOVSKY

CONDUCTOR BRANDON KEITH BROWN SOLOIST FLORIAN UHLIG (PIANO)

CONDUCTOR BERNHARD GUELLER SOLOIST LIESL STOLTZ (FLUTE)

ROSSINI Overture, L’Italiana in Algeri MOZART Piano Concerto No, 20, K 466 DVORÁK Symphony No. 6 in D

PÄRT Fratres IBERT Flute Concerto TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No 6. in B minor, “Pathétique”

With more than 15 acclaimed CDs to his name, FLORIAN UHLIG is completing a cycle of Schumann CDs. German-born Uhlig studied at both the Royal College and Royal Academy of Music, and is an associate of the latter. He performs across the world and is artistic director of the International Mozart Festival in Johannesburg.

LIESL STOLTZ began studying the flute at age 13 with Éva Tamássy at the University of Stellenbosch. She also studied with eminent flautists such as Shigenori Kudo in Paris and won various international awards including first prize in the 12th Friedrich Kuhlau International Flute Competition in Germany (2007). She has released several recordings.

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Autumn Symphony Season

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7

MAY

8PM CITY HALL

APRIL

8PM CITY HALL

SPECTACULAR LISZT CONDUCTOR CONRAD VAN ALPHEN SOLOIST JAN HUGO (PIANO) SIDE BY SIDE WITH CPYO: TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 in C minor The Dutch/South-African conductor, CONRAD VAN ALPHEN, works with some of the world’s most respected orchestras, such as the Montreal and Svetlanov Symphony Orchestras, the Brussels, Bogota and Moscow Philharmonics, the Stuttgarter and Bochumer Symphoniker as well as the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona.

Winner of first prizes at the UNISA National Piano competition in Pretoria, Royal Overseas League Piano Competition in London and overall winner of the SAMRO Bursary Competition, JAN HUGO studied under Francesco Cipolletta in Modena, Italy. He was also a student of the Accademia Pianistica Internazionale “Incontri col Maestro” in Imola then at Hochschule für Musik in Leipzig.

CONDUCTOR THEODORE KUCHAR SOLOISTS ALEXANDER GILMAN (VIOLIN) & OLIWIA MEISER (CELLO) VERDI Aida Sinfonia BRAHMS Concerto for Violin and Cello BERLIOZ Harold in Italy THEODORE KUCHAR is the most recorded conductor of his generation and appears on over 130 CDs. Currently he is the Principal Conductor of the Ukrainian Festival Orchestra and Music Director Designate of the Ukrainian National Opera and Ballet-Lviv. Kuchar is also Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Venezuela.

After giving his first solo concert at age seven in Munich, ALEXANDER GILMAN has now performed in the most renowned concert halls all over the world and at major international music festivals. He established LGT Young Soloists with brilliant young strings players and has produced several recordings.

Polish cellist OLIWIA MEISTER, a member of the internationally acclaimed string orchestra, LGT Young Soloists, has already won more than 30 national and international awards. These include first prize at the International Cello Competition Antonio Janigro in Croatia. She has performed at numerous major festivals and as an orchestral soloist and chamber musician in Europe.

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14

8PM CITY HALL

8PM CITY HALL

APRIL

10

BRAHMS AND BERLIOZ

MAY

MOZART'S DOUBLE

RISING STAR

CONDUCTOR CONRAD VAN ALPHEN SOLOISTS NATALIA LAVROVA & VASSILY PRIMAKOV

CONDUCTOR THEODORE KUCHAR SOLOIST MICLEN LAIPANG (VIOLIN)

TCHAIKOVSKY String Serenade MOZART Double Concerto in E flat BRUCH Symphony No. 3 in E

MOZART Symphony No. 35 in D, “Haffner” PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto No. 1 in D DVORÁK Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World”

Yamaha artists, NATALIA LAVROVA and VASSILY PRIMAKOV, established the Lavrova/ Primakov Duo in 2010, garnering critical accolades for their “dazzling display by two phenomenal pianists." The Juilliard-trained pianists who began their studies in Moscow also established their own record label, LP Classics and have released numerous CDs, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 arranged for two pianos.

By the age of nine, violinist MICLEN LAIPANG was winning prizes in his native Malaysia, leading to a career that has taken him to more than 50 countries. Miclen has graced venues such as the Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall and Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. A violinist with LGT Young Soloists, “one of the finest orchestras in Europe” according to Fanfare, he has already featured on two of their CDs.

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Winter Symphony Season

28 MAY

8PM CITY HALL

TCHAIKOVSKY CHARM

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JUNE

8PM CITY HALL

CONDUCTOR BERNHARD GUELLER SOLOIST CHRISTINA BRABETZ (VIOLIN)

BACK IN AFRICA

CPYO CURTAIN-RAISER: CONDUCTOR BRANDON PHILLIPS TCHAIKOVSKY Polonaise from Eugen Onegin

CONDUCTOR ANTONI WIT SOLOIST YIBAI CHEN (CELLO)

TCHAIKOVSKY Capriccio Italien TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto in D TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2 in C minor

MONIUSZKO Overture, Bajka ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor DVORÁK Symphony No. 7 in D minor

Following her acclaimed performance with the CPO in 2018, violinist CHRISTINA BRABETZ, concertmaster of the Komische Oper in Berlin, is now considered to be one of the most promising young German artists. This former Cape Town resident, performs widely in Europe.

In 2010 she won the prestigious Tonali Grand Prix.

Chinese cellist YIBAI CHEN is emerging as one of the most promising cellists of his generation on the international stage. His playing has been described as “nothing short of remarkable”. “A flawless technique yet displaying sincere tenderness and sensitivity.” And, “a personal sound and true stage presence”. Chen made his African debut in Pretoria.

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18

JUNE

8PM CITY HALL

FINAL FANTASY CONDUCTOR ANTONI WIT SOLOIST JAYSON GILLHAM (PIANO) BEETHOVEN Overture, Coriolan BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G ZEMLINSKY “The Mermaid” Fantasy after Hans Christian Anderson ANTONI WIT is one of the most highly regarded conductors and a champion of Polish music.

A top prize winner at the Herbert von Karajan International Conducting Competition in 1971, he has been artistic chief of many orchestras such as the Warsaw Philharmonic and Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra in Spain. He is Conductor Laureate of the Krakow Philharmonic in Poland.

Holder of the Légion d'honneur and an award-winning recording artist. Wit continues to enjoy a career with major orchestras throughout Europe, America and the Far East.

Internationally praised for his compelling performances, Australian-British pianist, JAYSON GILLHAM, is recognised as one of the finest pianists of his generation. After receiving numerous prizes at competitions such as the Leeds, Van Cliburn and 2014 Montreal International Music Competition which he won with the same piano concerto he is playing with the CPO, Gillham has become a sought-after soloist and recording artist.

JUNE

FUTURE CLASSICS

8PM CITY HALL

CONDUCTOR BERNHARD GUELLER SOLOISTS LEO GEVISSER, MIKE WANG & QDEN BLAAUW (PIANOS) BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat (Blaauw) MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor (Wang) SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor (Gevisser) QDEN BLAAUW has won many awards such as first prize at both the 2016 Great Composers’ International Competition and SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. He has been a soloist with the CPO and several other orchestras in South Africa and has received master classes from Lang Lang, Valentina Lisitsa and Spencer Myer.

MIKE ZI NING WANG came to Cape Town from China in 2015 and has since won several competitions including the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition at the age of ten — the youngest ever overall winner of the competition. He has performed as a soloist in the Oude Libertas Summer Concert Series and with the CPYO in the Suidoosterfees.

LEO GEVISSER moved from Cape Town to Cleveland in 2017. In 2019 he won the grand prize at the Baltimore International Piano Festival Competition. This includes a recital at Carnegie Hall. South African prizes include the 2016 gold at the SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition.

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FOREMOST POLISH CONDUCTOR

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rom Penderecki to Antoni Wit, the CPO’s links to Poland are at the highest level. In 2008 composer Krzysztof Penderecki came to Cape Town to conduct his own Largo for Cello as well as his Piano Concerto “Resurrection”. Twelve years later the CPO welcomes Antoni Wit, one of the most highly regarded Polish conductors. A champion of Polish music and a worldwide name, thanks to the five million CDs he has sold, he conducts the CPO in two concerts in June.

On one of the programmes, naturally, will be a piece by Stanislaw Moniuszko. Over the years, the CPO has also performed works by Polish composers Chopin Wieniawski and Szymanowski and engaged pianist Marek Drewnowski and organist Waclaw Golonka and now the young cellist Oliwia Meiser.

Wit has lived a life of achievement. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur and has many award-winning discs.

He was a top prize-winner in the Herbert von Karajan International Conducting Competition in 1971 and then assisted the maestro. Wit has been artistic chief of many orchestras such as the Warsaw Philharmonic and Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra in Spain and is now Conductor Laureate of the Krakow Philharmonic in

"MUSIC... . IT IS AN EPITOME OF PAST AND PRESENT"

WIT IS HAPPY TO COME TO SOUTH AFRICA. “Visiting South Africa and Cape Town was always my long-term dream and I have heard about them being among the most beautiful places in the world. Since then I also learned from fellow musicians about the high quality of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra with its long history, so I am very excited about this new encounter and conducting two wonderful programmes there. The best of both worlds and it seems that the dream is about to come true!”

Wit says, “I cannot imagine life without music. It is an epitome of past and present, history, culture, identity, human condition and ideas larger than life that altogether define humanity.”

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Poland. He continues to enjoy a career with major orchestras throughout Europe, America and the Far East.

PASSIONATE ABOUT POLISH MUSIC “Achievement to me is about continuity of artistic relationships as well as the constant discovery of new and rediscovery of old. I am delighted that also in the repertoire of my concerts in Cape Town there will be works I will be conducting for the first time. It would be most fulfilling to be able to continue on this path.

Having said that in general, it is also my special deep commitment to promote Polish music around the world, from Moniuszko to Penderecki and especially unjustly neglected scores. I am passionate about this mission."

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