JIMF’s driving force talks all things musical

Offering something for everyone – from the Maboneng hipsters to the lovers of all things classical – the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival (JIMF) promises not to disappoint.

The festival is set to be extraordinary this year and will be held in a number of exciting venues across Gauteng. Richard Cock, executive director of the festival, explained why it was important to host a festival such as this. “JIMF is a special project because it is a unique concept of building a series of concerts around a theme and around the birthday of one of the greatest composers of all time.

“When you look at the range of events on offer – from children to silent movies to serious symphony concerts and chamber music – there is really something for everybody. We will attract about 4 000 to 5 000 people.”

Read: Mozart to be celebrated

Optimistic about the reach of the festival, Cock is also excited about another facet of the event – this year’s composer-in-residence. “Neo Muyanga is a very accomplished composer and I am looking forward to working with him.”

This year, the festival will take place at venues in Parktown, Maboneng and Braamfontein. Some of the venues have become synonymous with cutting-edge breakthroughs, thus creating the perfect places for this innovative festival to take place.

Cock implores the public to visit the festival at one of the venues and see it all. “I would like people to come and choose something out of their comfort zone and see what wonderful things are on offer.”

Cock’s journey with music began in senior school where there was a choir and lots of music in the school, drawing him into that world at the age of 13.

Details: www.join-mozart-festival.org