SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - More recitals, a larger variety and value for money, is what the ninth Klein Karoo Klassique this year has in store for classical music aficionados, says the organisers.
The event takes place from Friday to Sunday, August 11 to 13.
“Thanks to financial support from the Rupert Music Foundation, ticket prices are the same as last year and we can present eight recitals, instead of last year’s seven,” says Rhodé Snyman, chief executive of Kunste Onbeperk, presenter of this festival in Oudtshoorn.
Tickets are already on sale and festivalgoers "need to act quickly to get their hands on the special bargain Klassique package, which sells out fast", she says. "This package includes tickets to all eight recitals for only R700, an average of R87.50 per recital. If tickets are purchased separately, the total cost is R1 000.
The Klassique opens with double Sama-awarded guitar duo, CH2 (Corneille Hutten and Dirkie van Staden). They perform classical masterpieces from Tárrega, Rodrigo, Bach, their own flamenco-style compositions and arrangements of Afrikaans hits like Tussen Treine and Vyfster.
Saturday’s programme begins with Vivaldi se Vier Seisoene Herbesoek (Vivaldi's Four Seasons Revisited). Petrus de Beer (violin), Stanislav Angelov (accordion) and Schalk Joubert (bass and recitation) arrange this timeless masterpiece of Vivaldi without support of a string orchestra, for which it was originally composed. The sonnet has been specially translated from Italian to Afrikaans by Dr Dawid de Villiers.
The Camerata Tinta Barocca features Bridget Rennie-Salonen (traverso), Jesse Groenewald (baroque violin), Uwe Grosser (theorbo and baroque guitar), Cheryl de Havilland (baroque cello) and Erik Dippenaar (spinet) in a programme of baroque music. Folk Baroque is performed on period instruments, with music by Barsanti, Geminiani, Scarlatti and Gow.
In Alleenstryd, Minette du Toit-Pearce (mezzo soprano), Lauren Dasappa (soprano), Jolene McCleland (mezzo soprano), José Dias (piano) and Visser Liebenberg (clarinet) bring homage to Hendrik Hofmeyr, who turns 60 this year. The composition and recitation is done by Niël Rademan and Hofmeyr makes a guest appearance. Alleenstryd provides a small glimpse into the vocal compositions of this musical maestro.
Saturday’s programme ends with Carmen – In Die Kleine, a concert version of one of the most famous operas in the classical canon. It is condensed to an hour-long work for this occasion, without compromising the integrity of the original work. All the highlights are presented in a chronological order, with the artists interpreting more than one role. Jolene McCleland (mezzo soprano), Lauren Dasappa (soprano), Minette du Toit-Pearce (mezzo soprano), Chris Mostert (tenor), Niël Rademan (baritone) and Raimondo van Staden (baritone) are on stage, accompanied by José Dias on piano.
In Spieël-dans in die maanlig on Sunday morning, Jana van der Walt (harp) and Rina Schutte (cello) combine these two instrumental favourites for a programme featuring a wide variety of music. They play Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel, Piazzolla’s Oblivion, Clair de Lune by Debussy, Bach’s Arioso and the Ave Maria by Gounod.
Beethoven Tango appeals to an inquisitive musical palette and combines the refined qualities of Zanta Hofmeyr’s classical technique (violin), with the improvisatory magic of Charl du Plessis (piano). Experience the fire of tango rhythms, world music, jazz and Beethoven, with a tango arrangement of the well-known Für Elize.
The ATKV Afsluitingskonsert is a showcase of South Africa’s best young musicians, with Megan-Geoffrey Prins (piano), 2016 winner of ATKV-Muziq; Tatiana Thaele (flute), runner-up of this competition; and Palesa Malieloa (soprano), 2016 winner of ATKV-Muziqanto. Thaele and Malieloa are accompanied on piano by Philippus Hugo.
“All eight recitals are presented in the NG Moederkerk in Oudtshoorn. The area around the church will be equipped with a restaurant, shop with CDs and tasting experiences from the district,” says Snyman.
Ticket prices for individual recitals are R125, available from Computicket, Shoprite/Checkers and House & Home.
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