With 10 concerts in the 4th annual Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival, which runs from 13 to 16 February, 2025, in the Cape winelands, Starlight Classics at Vergelegen on 28 February and March 1, a sold-out Sunset Concert in the Old Harbour at Hermanus on 8 March and the 3rd SA Composers’ Competition at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre on 15 March, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is once more demonstrating that it is the most versatile orchestra in South Africa.
Autumn Symphonies
Immediately following that, the CPO moves into its Autumn Symphonies at the City Hall on 3, 10 and 24 April, with a sold-out appearance with Andrea Bocelli at the DHL Stadium in between.
Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival
The Franschhoek Chamber Music Festival showcases all the musicians of the orchestra in a more intimate setting, in which each shines as a soloist. The brilliant violinist Miclen LaiPang is the guest artist, appearing in seven of the ten concerts, which culminate in a sold-out finale of the Triple Concerto by Beethoven. Other highlights in the festival include the Gran Partita by Mozart (February 14), the Schumann Piano Quintet in E flat (14 February) and the String Quintet in C, D 956 by Schubert (16 February). Tickets are on the Quicket platform here.
Starlight Classics
Starlight Classics at Vergelegen in Somerset West will be conducted by Brandon Phillips, Chad Hendricks and Chevonne Plaatjies, all prominent SA Conductors’ Competition winners or in this year’s semi-finals. It is hosted by Katlego Maboe and Steinway artist Charl du Plessis, and features soprano Vuvu Mpofu, global Afro-pop sensation Nomcebo Zikode, rock vocalist Ross Learmonth, piano prodigy Heinrich Sutton, the IThemba Youth Choir and Three Mzansi Tenors – Mkhanyiseli Dyantyi, Vuyisa Xipu and Sakhi Martins.
They will perform a mix of popular and classical gems. Tickets are on the Quicket platform.
SA Composers’ Competition
The 3rd SA Composers’ Competition on 15 March features five compositions selected by judges Amy Crankshaw, Lise Morrison, Clare Lovely, Arthur Feder, Pieter Bezuidenhout to compete for the title, a year-long residency with the CPO and a new commission. They are Owen Dalton (Ramblings of the Mind), Anthonie Jansen van Rensburg (People, Space, Time), Chesney Palmer (Spectrums of Hues and Obscure Shapes), Caryn Jessica Pretorius (The Watcher of the South) and Hein Roelofse (Sunset Hues). The winner of the 2024 competition, Lize Briel, will see the premiere of her commissioned work, Tesselation. While the concert will be live streamed, a live concert is always a better option! Tickets are here.
The musicians go into rehearsal for the Autumn Symphony season which includes conductors Bernhard Gueller, Nicholas Chalmers and Kamal Khan, with pianist Yaron Kohlberg, The United Kingdom National Youth Choir, and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanashe. Tickets will go on sale at Webtickets on 13 February.
What: Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra on the move
Read about the orchestra: Here
WS
