Ten extraordinarily talented classical music instrumentalists, singers and a saxophone quartet will showcase their prowess at this year’s 52nd Youth Classical Concert. On stage on Saturday, 2 September, 2023, in the Artscape Theatre at 7pm, this prestigious annual event, offers accomplished young musicians the opportunity of playing with a symphony orchestra on a professional concert stage.
Good variety
Ranging from as young as 15-years of age to 21 they will perform works by Chamenade, Saint-Saens, Creston, Prokofiev, Crusell, Verdi, Ravel and Bill Holcombe. Much of the biggest repertoire and most exciting to listen to and perform is in the concerto field (instrument with orchestra) and opera field (voice and orchestra).
The appeal of the works presented, as well as good variety in the overall programme content, played an important part in the final selection of these musicians.
The successful musicians that auditioned this year for the opportunity to perform with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) include Esihle Mthethwa (18) on Flute, Kyrah Adams (17) Marimba, Daniel Hutton (18) Clarinet, Bayanda Mthetho (20) and Christof Joubert (21) on Piano. Gilah Kellner (19) and Emma Steenkamp (16) play the Violin, Vocalists are Tenor Jason September (21), Sopranos Chloe Loggenberg (19) and Sasha Damons (21).
Sax Quartet
The Hugo Lambrechts Saxophone Quartet members are – Keon Müller (19) on Soprano Saxophone, James Cilliers (16) on alto, Kian Goliath (15) on tenor and Michael de Goede (17) on baritone.
The emphasis of the Youth Classical Concert, produced by Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), is a celebration of young musical talent and not a competition.
Jacobus de Jager conducts
Jacobus de Jager will be conducting the orchestra and in preparation of the concert the musicians will receive individual, comprehensive sessions with him and the CPO. In 2017 Kobus was a soloist on piano at the 46th annual event and is the most recent winner of the South African Conductors’ Competition. He was one of the eight semi-finalists of the 2023 Herbert von Karajan Young Conductor’s Award in Salzburg and resident conductor of the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra in 2021 and 2022.
He has conducted ensembles for the CPO as well as for other orchestras in South Africa and continues his conducting studies in September.
Distinguished teachers
The musicians are currently studying at the SA College of Music at the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre and with distinguished music teachers – Liam Burden, Arisa Voges, Dr Liesl Stoltz, Alex Laing, Prof Luis Magalhaes and Prof Nina Schumann.
Duration of the Concert is 90 minutes, including a 30 minute interval. Ticket prices are Adults R100, Students, Scholars and Pensioners R50. Block bookings of 10 or more less 10 %. Book through Computicket, Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, or www.artscape.co.za
Fine Music Radio will record for broadcast on 17 September between 2pm and 4pm.
What: Youth Classical Concert
When: Saturday 2 September 2023, 7pm
Where: Artscape Theatre Cape Town
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