KZNPO groom aspiring musos

KZN Philharmonic, renowned for its magnificent symphony concerts in the Durban City Hall, plays another fiddle behind the scenes.

The organisation and its 70 full time musicians dedicate the balance of their time to educating the musicians and audiences of tomorrow and engaging with local communities.

The symphony concert at the Durban City Hall on Thursday 9 October at 7.30pm features the principal clarinettist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Olivier Patey, and American maestro James Ross on the podium. The two of them, along with KZN Philharmonic concertmaster Joanna Frankel, will conduct master-classes for the South African National Youth Orchestra on Friday and Saturday.

South Africa’s top young conductors, clarinettists and violinists will converge on Durban to receive coaching from these three exceptional professionals while attending rehearsals by the KZN Philharmonic and learning what it takes to become a professional musician.

Bongani Tembe, chief executive and artistic director of the Orchestra said: “The KZN Philharmonic has gained a reputation as the finest orchestra in Africa and we are delighted that our internationally acclaimed guest artists are supporting our endeavours to transfer top class skills to the upcoming musical talent of South Africa. This is true inspiration for our youngsters to work hard and fulfil their dreams of becoming professional musicians.”

Thursday night’s audience will be entranced to hear Stravinsky’s The Fairy Kiss: Divertimento, Copland’s Concerto, Clarinet and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor. They can also listen to a pre-concert lecture at 6.15pm in the Alhambra Room of the Playhouse (across the road) at which Dr Liezl Marét Jacobs will offer listeners a deeper understanding of the music they will hear in the concert.

Another aspect of the KZN Philharmonic’s efforts to encourage young musicians to pursue music as a career is to create performance opportunities for them. The Durban Music School’s Jazz Band will present a free curtain-raiser to concert goers on Church Walk at the entrance to the City Hall from 6.30pm to 7.15pm.

The final concert of the KZN Philharmonic’s Spring Symphony Season takes place on 23 October. It is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear Orff’s Carmina Burana which features massed choirs and the KZN Philharmonic under the baton of world-renowned conductor Justus Franz. It is a milestone event for Mr Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, who will be celebrating 20 years at the helm of Durban’s beloved orchestra.

Booking is through Computicket. Those interested in the SANYO master classes should contact the Orchestra’s offices on 031 369 9438.