Department of Music & Konservatorium

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The World Orchestra arrives in South Africa with the United in Music project

An orchestra formed by musicians from 60 countries conducted by Josep Vicent celebrates its 14th international tour.

South Africa is the first stop of the United in Music tour, a project of solidarity and musical exchange by The World Orchestra. Inspired by the strong diplomatic and social commitment of maestro Josep Vicent, United in Music is the result of a creative and educational process that unites South African and European young musicians with musicians and music lovers from all over the world.

Since 2004 The World Orchestra and maestro Josep Vicent have carried out intense diplomatic work, promoting international cooperation through music in China, Mexico, Canada, Cyprus, Holland, Germany, Austria, and Spain. In September 2009 the orchestra was appointed Cultural Ambassadors for Peace by the Culture of Peace Foundation. This South African tour is in fact the 14th adventure together of this orchestra formed by musicians from 60 countries all over the world.

Besides the tour of symphonic concerts in some of the most important concert halls in South Africa, the orchestra will carry out a series of educational activities in an attempt to reach those communities in the country with less access to classical music. Traditional, new and classical music will be used as a base to create a musical bridge for a true cultural exchange where participants and musicians will learn from each other. The programme will include European music by Samuel Barber, Antonín Dvořák, Gustav Mahler, Sergei Prokofiev and South African composer Hendrik Hofmeyr.

Josep Vicent, Chief Conductor of The World Orchestra, says: “Music gives us the power to touch hearts, the power to influence our society to be more peaceful. This is my dream and responsibility, and that is the reason why we travel the world with this orchestra of United Nations. South Africa has proved to be a very strong partner in our project and so determined to achieve our goal of peace and solidarity. The World Orchestra has the amazing energy of a young and pure generation of very committed musicians! I feel so lucky to conduct their global sound!"

Following the success of “The most amazing day”, the documentary film that portrays the experience of the orchestra performing for the inhabitants of Sierra Hermosa desert in Mexico, this new adventure in South Africa will be also captured on film with view to sharing the musical and cultural learning process with Europe.

United in Music has been designed and produced by the international production company East-West-Music, in cooperation with the main partner in South Africa, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, and with collaborations from Ubunye Music and Arts, Amsterdam Grachten Festival and Lowlands Festival (Holland), Ibermusica and Pollença Music Festival in Spain and Enfants Planète Esperanza in France and the Balkans.

The project has been co-funded by the European Union Culture Programme and receives support from various companies and institutions in Spain (Ministry of Culture of Spain, Cultural Industries, Marina D'Or and Valencia International University) and South Africa like Laser Group, Plettenberg 2 Municipality, Knysna Municipality, Classic Feel and Cape Town International Summer Music Festival among many others.

The World Orchestra performs for the Endler Concert Series on Friday 15 February at 8pm in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch. Tickets are available from Computicket and at the door priced R125/R90.

Music from Heaven for Endler Concert Series

Music for flute and harp conjures up celestial images, perhaps further enhanced by the popularity of Mozart’s beautiful concerto for these two instruments. The Endler Concert Series has for as long as can be remembered, if ever, never presented an entire concert of flute and harp duo repertoire. On Sunday the 17th of February at 16:30 however, the Gabriel Duo, consisting of Bridget Rennie-Salonen (flute) and Gaylen Rose Sales (harp) will perform a matinée recital of relaxing music from the Baroque to the present.

Rennie-Salonen is well known in the Cape as one of South Africa’s premiere flautists, much in demand as a freelance soloist, chamber musician, orchestral principal, recording artist and teacher. Sales hails from Pretoria and as the recipient of many awards enjoys a career that has seen her perform as soloist with most of Gauteng’s top orchestras. The duo will perform works by Telemann, Lauber’s Four Medieval Dances, Andriessen’s Intermezzo and South African composer, Peter Klatzow’s Strophe, Antistrophe and Dances.

Tickets R110/R80 are available from Computicket and from the Endler Hall from 15.30 on the day of the concert.

Rising Star Series for Endler

Each year, the Endler Concert Series features an up and coming young artist in their Rising Star series. At 16:30 on the 24th of February, Vanessa Tait-Jones – soprano and Philippus Hugo – piano, will perform a programme of Dvořák, Puccini, Verdi, Strauss, Bernstein and more. Tait-Jones is no stranger to local audiences having received her BMus (Hons) cum laude from the University of Stellenbosch in 2002. The recipient of a number of local and national awards, she now appears frequently in numerous opera and oratorio performances in and around the Cape.

Tickets R110/R80 are available from Computicket and from the Endler Hall on the day of the concert from 15.30.

Zanne Stapelberg Opera Gala

Although South Africa has produced quite a number of fine singers, it is only a select few who have the distinction and honour of appearing as a featured soloist in an Opera Gala with a full Symphony Orchestra. One such artist is Zanne Stapelberg, who has captured the hearts of opera lovers and concert-goers alike, blending a flamboyant stage persona with great artistry, musical integrity and unparalleled passion. Hailed as ‘one of South Africa’s most prolifically talented and engaging artists’ (Jeff Brukman in Cue -Grahamstown National Arts Festival Paper, 8 July 2009), Zanne Stapelberg will appear in concert with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Corvin Matei in a concert featuring some of her favourite Opera Arias. Performances take place on 1 March at 20:00 and 3 March at 16:30 in the Endler Hall Stellenbosch.

What makes these concerts extraordinary is that they will be recorded for a CD entitled ‘Zanne Stapelberg live with USSO’. This recording has been made possible with generous sponsorship from Standard Bank. Zanne was the 2008 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music, an award considered the most prestigious arts award in South Africa. The artist and USSO management would like to express their thanks to Standard Bank for making this recording possible.

In acknowledgement of the bicentenary of the birth of two of opera's greatest composers, namely Verdi and Wagner, Zanne will sing Salce, Salce and Ave Maria from Verdi’s Otello, whilst the orchestra will open the second half of the programme with the Prelude to Act 3 of Lohengrin by Wagner. Other works include arias by Puccini and Dvorak. The famous Barcarolle from Offenbach’s Tales of Hofmann will include as a special guest, mezzo-soprano, Minette du Toit-Pearce whilst the rousing Easter Hymn from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana will see the chorus sung by Canticum Novum. The programme will end with the tragic and fiery Milonga from Maria de Buenos Aires by Argentinian tango composer, Astor Piazzolla.

Tickets priced R125 and R90 are available at Computicket.

Woordfees and Endler Concert Series present a feast of concerts

The Woordfees and Endler Concert Series have again joined forces in bringing a bumper crop of Classical music concerts to the 2013 Woordfees. The success of several years of collaboration have given the organizers of both events the courage to programme boldly and the excellent ticket sales thus far are a clear indication that good choices were made. As a result of a clear directive from the Woordfees management, the Classical music concerts during this period will feature a number of fine artists associated with the University of Stellenbosch Department of Music.

The Zanne Stapelberg Opera-Gala with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Corvin Matei will see much loved soprano, Zanne Stapelberg, singing a number of her favourite arias. Two performances, featuring the music of Verdi, Wagner, Puccini and Piazzolla will be recorded for a live CD sponsored by Standard Bank. Louise Howlett (soprano) and Albert Combrink (keyboard) are back by popular demand with a mixed programme called Heaven and Earth. A sublime recital of French violin sonatas will be presented by one of the Cape Philharmonic’s guest concertmasters, Suzanne Martens with Pieter Grobler at the piano. Suzanne’s husband Peter, is a respected local cellist who will release his new CD of Bach Cello Suites with a marathon concert of all 6 Suites. The tickets for this concert include wine and a light finger supper. Hanneli Rupert (soprano) and Albie van Schalkwyk (piano) will join Canticum Novum under the direction of Louis van der Watt in Die Afrikaanse Lied and the University of Stellenbosch Jazz Band under the baton of Felicia Lesch have engaged celebrity guest, Jannie Moolman in a night of Jazz standards à la Michael Bublé.

Dates and programme details can be found at Woordfees. Tickets are available at Computicket and at the door.