Concert TWO – Thursday 14 June
Playhouse Opera: 7 – 28 June 2018
The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra has launched its four week 2018 Winter Season to run in the Playhouse Opera Theatre, each Thursday, between 7 and 28 June, starting at 19h30 as part of the Orchestra’s renowned World Symphony Series (WSS) which was launched in Durban 22 years ago.
Conductor Brandon Philips makes his bow on the podium on 14 June with a programme of 19th Century German and French repertoire on. Robert Schumann’s Overture to his only Opera, Genoveva, makes a welcome appearance as the evening’s curtain-raiser, before the renowned Russian soloist, Alexander Buzlov takes the spotlight to perform Édouard Lalo Cello Concerto in D minor. Brahms’ Symphony No 3 rounds off the programme.
Brandon Phillips is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cape Town Youth Orchestra and is resident conductor of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Winner of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s Inaugural Len van Zyl Conductor’s Competition in 2010, he works with many of South Africa’s orchestras and choirs. These include the Miagi Youth Orchestra Festival and Sasol National Youth Festival as well as the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra, Unisa Symphony Orchestra, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Free State Symphony Orchestra, Black Tie Ensemble, the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town, the New Apostolic Symphony and Choir and, of course, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also conducted at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. In 2012, Phillips received a prestigious award from the Western Cape Minister of Arts and Culture Ivan Meyer for “outstanding achievements by the youth”.
Moscow-born Alexander Buzlov is one of the most prominent cellist of his generation. Today Alexander tutors other students at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and continues his solo career. He performs in the best halls in Russia and abroad, particularly the Berlin Philharmonic, Herkulessaal Munich, Santa Cecilia in Rome, La Scala in Milan, Théatre des Champs Élysées in Paris, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, and has played solo parts for some of the leading orchestras internationally.
The New York Times described his performance: “… A cellist of true Russian tradition, possessing a great gift to make an instrument sing, bewitching the audience with his sound.”
“We are excited to present the second leg of our 2018 World Symphony Series, with a roster of top flight international conductors and soloists to our concert platform, along with prominent South African artists, whilst continuing to carry out the KZN Philharmonic’s Orchestra’s broad mission of developing its dynamic artistic vision,” says Bongani Tembe, the Orchestra’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director.
“We continue to focus on offering music-making of the highest excellence to the city of Johannesburg. This endeavour dovetails with our community engagement programmes. By presenting a series of world-class concerts, as well as promoting transfer of skills to young musicians of all races, the KZN Philharmonic remains committed to enriching the cultural life of our citizens.”
Season tickets and booking for individual concerts in KZN Philharmonic’s 2018 Winter Season through Computicket. Call 0861 915 8000 or book online at www.computicket.com. For more information call 031-369 9438, email bookings@kznphil.org.za or visit www.kznphil.org.za.
Listings:
Concert TWO
Date: Thurs 14 June
Venue: Playhouse Opera
Conductor: Brandon Phillips
Soloist: Alexaner Buzlov
Featured instrument: Cello
Programme: Schumann Overture to Genoveva, Op 81; Lalo Violincello Concerto in d minor; Brahms Symphony No3 in F Major, Op 90
Pre concert lecture: Dr Teddy Pillay.
Tea and symphony: Enjoy the morning rehearsal on Thursday at 10am.
Tickets R35 for adults and pensioners, and R15 for learners and students