The Music Department of the University of Pretoria has maintained a symphony orchestra for most of the now more than 50 years since the Department was founded. The Orchestra achieved prominence in the 1990s under the direction of Alan Solomon. It was reorganised in 2002, giving performances of both well-known works and rarities under the baton of Lance Philip and Walter Mony. It has further expanded under the direction of Eric Rycroft and the appointment of an orchestra manager, Philippa Kotzé, in 2003.

The University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra is today the only large-scale orchestra in Pretoria that performs the symphonic repertoire on a regular basis. The Orchestra, as academic institution, provides a platform for the Department’s finest soloists, instrumentalists, singers, students and professionals, training them to face the industry head-on. The main purpose of this Orchestra is to provide students (outsiders are also welcome if they can be accommodated) with the invaluable knowledge and experience of symphonic and ensemble playing. Whether these young musicians eventually become professional performers and teachers or not, is irrelevant. What is so vitally important is that they have all become so much richer people. This is a result of what they have learned about teamwork, discipline and respect, through their association with this unique area of artistic creativity provided by some of the world’s most important and beautiful music.

Each year, at least 12 months in advance, a carefully-constructed program is put together, attempting to include as wide a variety of styles possible from the grandiose symphonic repertoire. For example, the first production of the year should be immediately appealing to the players and audience alike, to “kick-off” in high spirits. Programs to follow should include at least one major symphony, one major classical work, a concerto festival and other festival presentations, a modern work, an opera or large-scale choral work, light music or symphonic pops, plus a concert tour.

As a short reference to the success which the Orchestra has grown accustomed to over the years, a few highlights are noteworthy:

- In 2006
Little Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) in April, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana in August, Aardklop Arts festival in September and concerts with international soloist Stef Bos in October.
- In 2007
KKNK in Oudtshoorn (April) and Aardklop in Potchefstroom (September) and a concert series with Nataniël and band in October.
- In 2008
The Orchestra had many concerts as part of the University’s Centenary Celebrations. In March, a Romantic Russian programme was successfully performed for the UP Bookjol, including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.5. A wonderful programme of favourites, A Hundred Years of Hot Hits: 1908-2008, was received with adoration in May. The highlight of the year, however, was Mendelssohn’s Symphony no.2 (Lobgesang) for Soloists, Choir, Orchestra and Organ, performed at the Principal’s Concert and a concert open to the general public. The year was ended on the appropriate high note with Amanda Strydom in concert with the UPSO in October in the Aula.
- In 2009
The Orchestra again thrilled its audiences with masterpieces from the symphonic repertoire. In March, a concert series entitled “Revitalized Russian Rendezvous” was on stage, including the beautiful Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky, the enchanting Distant Princess (Tcherepnin) and the ever-exciting Capriccio Espagnole (Rimsky-Korsakov).  Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no.1 was also on the pogramme with the international soloist Brian Wallick. April and May welcomed the “Stunning Symphony Suites”. The programme included the notorious Saber Dance from Khachaturian’s Gayaneh Suite no.3, as well as the South African debut of Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Suite for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, with Matthew Lombard as soloist. Further events included the Santa Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod, Beethoven’s Symphony no.5 and concerts with Laurika Rauch.

2010 saw programming of epic proportions. Playing to mostly sold-out houses, the Orchestra masterfully performed the likes of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no.6 (Pathetique) and Lizst’s Totentanz with Charl du Plessis at the piano. This concert was followed by a festival of rhapsodies by Chabrier, Alfvén and Enesco. Liszt’s Rhapsody on Hungarian Folk Melodies was also performed by Frants Preis.  Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for violin, cello and piano, a premier of Pieter Bezuidenhout’s Concertino for Piano and Orchestra, John Simon’s Dance to Freedom and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody no.2 all collided in a moot point representing the diversity of South Africa, and ultimately of the University, making up the prestigious Principal’s Concert for 2010. Following shortly was the annual concerto festival where soloists from the Orchestra were showcased.  To end off a successful year, the ‘true’ story of Swan Lake was brought to life in Nataniël’s highly acclaimed Swanemeer supported by the PianoMan himself, Charl du Plessis playing the evergreen Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin. The theme for the year was Ravel’s notorious Bolero, which could be heard at numerous different concerts.

2011 started off with a highly successful programme consisting of Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, talented child prodigy Emmanuel Bach’s rendition of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy and a suite of music from the motion picture, Braveheart. In the second programme, “A Vivid Visit to Vienna,” the orchestra performed with brilliance the music of 18th and 19th century Viennese composers. From the Tritsch Tratsch and Thunder and Lightning Polkas to the Radetzky March and Emperor Waltz, adding a touch of Mozart, this programme created a fun, fresh and lively concert experience for audiences. The programme featured at the KKNK as well. As with every year the orchestra performs with celebrity musicians. In this year the orchestra collaborated with the acclaimed guitar duo CH2. The year was concluded with the orchestra’s annual concerto festival. A highly successful concert with members of the orchestra appearing as soloists, performing from well known works by Bruch and Dvorák to the premiere of one of the soloist’s own works.

In 2012, the orchestra kicked off the year with Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf along with Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals which brought out the inner child in every member of the audience. The programme was presented at the KKNK on the orchestra’s sixth tour to the festival. The next programme will consist of the colossal music of The Planets by Gustav Holst along with the famous musical themes by John Williams which he wrote for the motion pictures, Star Wars. Later this year the orchestra will be rocking to the legendary music of Queen alongside the musical celebrity, Joseph Clark. The year will again be concluded with the annual concerto festival showcasing the many talented members of the orchestra.

2012 Concert Programmes:

Programme 1 : Peter & the Wolf / Carnival of the Animals
Narrator: Tobie Cronjé.  Pianists: Wessel van Wyk and Jannie le Roux
15.03.12 - 12:40 - Lunch Hour Concert, Musaion
22.03.12 - 12:40 - Lunch Hour Concert, Musaion
22.03.12 - 19:00 - Concert, Musaion
25.03.12 - 11:00 - Concert, Musaion
25.03.12 - 15:00 - Concert, Musaion
02.04.12 - 20:00 - Concert, Absa Burger Centre, KKNK
03.04.12 - 20:00 - Concert, Absa Burger Centre, KKNK

Programme 2 : The Planets + Star Wars
16.05.12 - 12:40 - Lunch Time Concert, Musaion
23.05.12 - 12:40 - Lunch Time Concert, Musaion
25.05.12 - 19:00 - Concert, Musaion

Programme 3 : Joseph Clark in Concert with UP Symphony Orchestra
21.09.12 - 19:00 - Concert, Aula
23.09.12 - 15:00 - Concert, Aula

Programme 4 : Concerto Festival with soloists from the orchestra
11.10.12 - 19:00 - Concert, Musaion

* Lunch Hour Concerts features highlights from specific programmes.
* Entrance to Lunch Hour Concerts is free.
* Tickets for Joseph Clark in Concert with UPSO will be available at Computicket.
* Tickets for the rest of the concerts available at box office in the foyer one hour before starting time

Published 16 May 2102