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| Hilton, KZN: Concert Series @ The Witness Arts Festival |
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From Friday, 18 September 2009
To Sunday, 20 September 2009
Every day
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Hits : 195
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Music Revival Concert Series Programmes:
Fri 18 September 2009
20h00 TWO PIANOS
Duo pianists Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhães open our series with a brilliant and entertaining programme of music for two pianos. Including the grand Chaconne in D minor by JS Bach and Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Overture transcribed for two pianos, they dazzle with two charming suites for two pianos by Russian composer Anton Arensky. While not reaching the same wide acclaim as fellow Russians Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, Arensky's music is light, elegant and in this case idiomatically scored for two virtuosos pianists. His Suites Nos 1 and 2 lead up to the barnstorming Paganini Variations by Lutoslawski, a demanding work featuring two pianists in full flight. The Schumann/ Magalhães Piano Duo are based in Stellenbosch and have received critical and public acclaim for their outstanding performances and recordings of music by Rachmaninoff, locally and internationally.
Sat 19 Sept 09
10h00 BAROQUE VIOLIN MUSIC FROM ITALY
Violetta Osorhean, Associate-Concert master of the KZNPO and David Smith (harpsichord and organ) delight with music from the Italian Baroque for violin; music by Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741), Pietro Locatelli (1695-1764), Tomaso Albinoni (1671 – 1750), Francesco Veracini (1690 - 1768) and Francesco Geminiani (1687 – 1762). Reflecting the creative excitement from the major cities of Italy, where performer/composers, aided by the legendary violin-making workshops of Cremona, were creating string music, the lyrical lines and dancing rhythms of this music are sure to delight. David Smith plays a reproduction of a harpsichord, Flemish in its ancestry, but French in its expanded compass and refinement of detail. Its design follows the main principles of similar authentic instruments. The harpsichord was purchased as a kit from the Zukermann factory in Stonington, Connecticut, in 2002, and gradually built in Mariannhill by Chris and Gloria Brouckaert, being eventually completed in March 2008.
12h00 MOZART’S KEGELSTATT
Don’t miss this classical chamber music performance for clarinet, viola, flute and piano. Performed by visiting British clarinettist Joanne Rozario, David Smith (Principal Viola of the KZNPO), Sabine Baird (Principal Flute of the KZNPO) and Christopher Duigan (piano), this lunchtime hour features Trios for clarinet, viola and piano by Mozart and Bruch. Mozart’s popular Kegelstatt Trio, supposedly composed while occupied with a game of skittles, is contrasted with richly romantic pieces by Max Bruch. Sabine Baird plays music for flute by JS Bach, Fauré and Chopin- his charming Variations on a theme of Rossini. The programme ends with the four players combining in Saint-Saëns jaunty Tarantella; a light, classical and melodic selection.
16h00 CHRISTOPHER DUIGAN - CLASSICAL PIANO
 Christopher Duigan, one of South Africa's leading concert pianists, plays a classical programme of passionate piano solos. In a programme including one of the landmarks of the piano literature, Beethoven’s magnificent Sonata op 57 Appassionata, Chopin’s Ballade No 4 and Liszt’s dazzling Mephisto Waltz, a powerful virtuoso work, he concludes with a selection of piano etudes and preludes by Rachmaninoff. A recipient of several of South Africa's most prestigious awards, Duigan currently maintains an enviable performing schedule on South Africa’s premier concert stages. He was recently named a South African piano icon and ‘a national musical treasure’ (Classic Feel June 2009).
18h00 OPERA GALA
Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Aukse Trinkunaite joins baritone Federico Freschi, a favourite with audiences nationally, in a programme of operatic highlights and song for a gala evening concert. Together with duets by Rossini and Mozart, they perform solo arias from Rossini’s L'italiana in Algeri, the celebrated Habanera from Bizet's Carmen, Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix from Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Delilah along with a magnificent selection of Russian songs by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. A must for lovers of opera, song and full-blooded vocal performance.
20h00 SEVILLA: MUSIC OF SPAIN: VOL 2
Following sell-out performances in the Grahamstown and Oudtshoorn National Arts Festival, James Grace launches his new CD Music of Spain Val. 2. Including music by Albeniz, Rodrigo and de Falla, plus standard and lesser-known concert works, this outstanding concert guitarist will also perform the haunting Adagio from Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez.
Sun 20 Sept 09
10h00 ROSSINI & FAURE CHORAL MUSIC
Savour the lofty vocal lines of Giacchino Rossini's, Petit Messe Sollenelle. Neither Petite nor solemn, Rossini’s celebrated operatic drama and vocal writing is much evident in this choral setting. Featuring the original scoring for small choir, four vocal soloists, piano and organ, the Durban Chamber Choir under the baton of Carol Stranax are joined by Christopher Cockburn (organ) and Christopher Duigan (piano). The music offers opportunity for an evocative and profoundly moving experience. The choir also perform selections from one the most universally loved choral works, Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem. A beautiful experience of religious choral music in the Hilton College Chapel.
12h00 I GOT RHYTHM!
Exploring a universal phenomenon in music, Christopher Duigan presents an innovative exploration of music with repetitive rhythms. With dance music going hand in hand with toe tapping rhythms, expect to hear a wide range of compositions from around the world while demonstrating 2, 3 and 4 beats in a bar, and beyond! Featuring the march, waltz and other rhythmic patterns the programme includes Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No 2, Take Five, Flight of the Bumble Bee and Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm. This follows on the highly successful compilation - Play, Piano Play! Don’t miss this, a perfect start to a Sunday outing.
13h30 PMB YOUTH CHOIR
The Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Youth Choir undertook a tour to Argentina in April, where their varied repertoire and spirited performances were enthusiastically received wherever they went. You will be equally delighted by the infectiously engaging style of these children as they do what they love best - entertaining through song. R60
15h00 SAX-DELIGHT
 The enigmatic, sultry, sensuous and raunchy timbres of the alto saxophone are explored this varied presentation with Joanne Rozario. With a variety of guest musicians including James Grace, Federico Freschi and Christopher Duigan (taking a turn at the organ) Joanne takes us on a whirlwind tour of Baroque solos, improvisations for sax and organ, popular songs in jazz style, film music and a fascinating combination of saxophone, guitar and piano. The Pink Panther, Milhaud’s catchy Brasilierra, Piazzolla’s Libertango and selection by film music composer Richard Guinness are included. A surprising presentation with many unexpected twists and turns.
16h30 LAST NIGHT OF THE HILTON PROMS
A revisit to the popular Last Night the Proms concept ends the festival series with bonanza selection. Together with assembled choirs from the Pietermaritzburg Youth Choir and other local choristers, this gathering of festival soloists offers an unprecedented celebration. Expect to hear and sing along to the standard sequence of Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia and Jerusalem. In a world music frenzy, in a nod to other world cultures, Aukse Trinkunaite sings traditional Russian folk songs, James Grace and Christopher Duigan perform in dazzling flamenco style, Federico Freschi leads an Italian sing along and the Pietermaritzburg Youth Choir entertain with traditional African music. A fun and light-hearted universal celebration of a world in union. Audience participation is encouraged!
For bookings, visit: www.artslink.co.za/hilton/ or email theatre[AT]hiltoncollege.com
Christopher Duigan
MUSIC REVIVAL
Telephone: (033) 342-3051
URL: http://www.musicrevival.co.za
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Location: Hilton College, Hilton, KZN Midlands
Contact: Hilton Festival Office: 033 3830126
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| Tickets are also available at the door |
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