2011 National Arts Fesitval Gala Concert

2011 National Arts Fesitval Gala Concert

2011 National Arts Festival

Conducter: Richard Cock
Soloists: Ben Schoeman (piano) & Magdalene Minnaar (soprano)
KwaZulu Natal Phiharmonic Orchestra

Programme
Ambroise Thomas Mignon Overture
Edward MacDowell To a Wild Rose
Ambroise Thomas Je suis, Titania
Johannes Brahms Hungarian Dance No 5
Franz Liszt Piano Concerto No 1
Franz Liszt Hungarian March
Percy Grainger Irish tune from County Derry
Ambroise Thomas           Mad scene from Hamlet
Dimitri Shostakovich           Tahiti Trot
Percy Grainger Country Gardens
Johann Strauss II           Emperor Waltz

Over the past number of years at the Gala Concert, the National Arts Festival has celebrated the anniversaries of many composers and 2011 is no exception. Franz Liszt, the great Hungarian composer and one of the finest “pop stars” of the classical music world, born 200 years ago, is remembered through two of his best know compositions.

Ambroise Thomas, also born in 1811, is featured in the overture and two arias which demonstrate his brilliant operatic skills and which give us the chance to hear again these forgotten and ignored masterpieces.

Percy Grainger the eccentric Australian composer died 50 years ago. Grainger’s music is featured in one of Ben Schoeman’s solo recitals, and now we hear some of those same pieces again as orchestral versions, a rare opportunity to hear these gems in such close proximity.

The remainder of the programme, which will be introduced by Richard Cock, is made up of fascinating and charming works by a wide range of composers. This will provide a ‘gala’ afternoon of entertainment with classy music making, ending with the embodiment of the Hapsburg Empire and a symbol of Viennese glitz and glamour, the famous Kaizer Walzer or Emperor Waltz.

Ben Schoeman is one of South Africa’s foremost pianists and the winner of the 2011 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music. In 2008 he became the first South African in history to win the first grand prize in the 11th UNISA Vodacom International Piano Competition in Pretoria. In 2009 he also won the coveted gold medal and first prize in the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition in London. He obtained a Masters in Performing Arts (cum laude) from the University of Pretoria, as well as a Master Diploma from the Accademia Pianistica ‘Incontri col Maestro’ in Imola, Italy. In 2008 he received the prestigious Laureate Award from the University of Pretoria Alumni Association for his achievements as well as his contribution to music in South Africa. He is currently undertaking a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the City University of London and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Magdalene Minnaar is currently a freelance musician based in Cape Town, where she received her Honours degree in music (voice) with distinction from the University of Cape Town in 2005. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her singing. In 2007 she was chosen to become a member of the Cape Town Opera Studio where she learnt and performed 15 roles including Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Queen of the Night and Papagena (Der Zauberflöte), Pousette (Manon), and Gilda (Rigoletto). Since completing her two years in the Studio she has also featured as the lead, Giulia, in Lara Bye’s production of La Scala di Seta by Rossini for the Wagner Society, and featured as soloist at the prestigious opening of the Cape Town Soccer Stadium with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2005 she represented Africa at the Schlern International Music Festival and Competition in Italy and earlier this year attended the New York Opera Studio. Magdalene is a passionate artist who has collaborated widely with contemporary and electronic musicians, composers and theatre makers.

Date:
3 July 2011
Time:
15:00
City/Town:
Grahamstown
Venue:
Guy Butler Theatre, Monunent
Duration:
1 hour 50 minutes (Incl. interval)
Ticket Price:
R52-72 Full/R50-70 Discounted/R40-60 / Scholar
Bookings:
http://www.computicket.com - 083 915 8000
Organiser/Presenter:
2011 National Arts Festival
Phone Number:
+27 (0)46 603 1103E
Email Address:
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Website:
http://www.nationalartsfestival

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