THE last symphony concert of 2009 presented by the Conservatorium Concert Series takes place on 3 October in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch, at 20:00.
It features the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra and takes the form of the annual Rectors Concert that contributes to the centenary celebrations of the SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns.
The two main works on the programme are Gideon Fagan’s Karoo Symphony (1977) and Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante KV 364 featuring the well-known South African soloists, Suzanne Martens (violin) and David Snaith (viola).
The concert will be preceded by a free pre-concert talk open to the public given by Prof Izak Grové in the Jannasch Hall at 19:00.
This performance of Fagan’s (1904-1980) work will be the first complete performance since the premičre in 1977. Together with musicians such as Arnold van Wyk and Hubert du Plessis, Fagan belongs to a select group of artists that began a most valuable contribution to the SA music culture as from the 1960s.
The Symphony can be described as a musical landscape and could broadly speaking be classified in the same category as Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony or Arnold van Wyk’s Gebede by Bolandse Jaargetye. The composer describes it as a portrayal of the Groot Karoo in all its diversity.
The orchestration requires extraordinary demands such as a large percussion section, virtuoso string players and imposing brass.
It is rich and profound and as the only significant musical sketch of the Karoo to be found in South African compositions, deserves to be heard more frequently.
Tickets (R90/R70) are available at Computicket on 083-915-8000 or www.computicket.com.
