THE Nederburg concert series on 22 May will feature South African cellist Anzel Gerber, who will perform with Japanese pianist Rinko Hama.
Hama is rapidly establishing herself as one of the foremost accompanists in Germany.
Gerber recalls that she was only three years old when she fell in love with the cello and started playing at the age of four.
“The expressive qualities of the cello continue to fascinate me,” she says.
Gerber studied at Moscow’s famed Tchaikovsky Conservatory and she remains a dedicated exponent of the Russian school and is deeply rooted in its disciplines, as established by Mstislav Rostropovich.
She considers herself extremely fortunate to receive her training during this time from Conservatory teachers who were either associates or students of that great master musician.
She went on to complete her doctorate in music performance at the University of London and received tutelage from one of Rostropovich’s protégés, Moscow-based Professor Natalia Shakhovskaya - considered Russia’s foremost cello teacher.
Gerber continues to travel to Moscow to consult with Shakhovskaya in order to refine her technique.
Hama is a celebrate soloist in her own right and is a sought after accompanist, especially in Germany where she is based.
She received her initial training in her hometown of Tokyo, attending the University of the Arts in Tokyo. She furthered her studies at the Music University Karlsruhe and completed her “Konzertexamen” with distinction at the Music University Detmold.
Gerber met Hama in 2002 and they have recently released their first CD in South Africa, with sonatas by Schubert, Debussy and Shostakovich.
The duo has plans to record again together and have performances lined up in Europe and the United Kingdom in the near future.
Their Nederburg programme will include two sonatas – by Miaskovsky and Prokofiev, and two beautiful shorter works, namely the “Adagio and Spring Waltz” from Shostakovich’s Ballet Suite no.2 and Pezzo Cappricioso by Tchaikovsky.
The duo’s recital in the Nederburg Manor House recital room begins promptly at 17:00. Tickets are R150 and include a welcoming drink and delicious light supper snacks served with fine Nederburg wines.
Bookings can be made by emailing ialbers@distell.co.za or skmorkel@distell.co.za or by calling 021-809-8106 or 021-809-8344.
