Israeli star violinist to play three Cape concerts

The Endler Concert Series features performances by one of the world's most accomplished violinists, Pinchas Zukerman. Born in Tel Aviv in 1948, Pinchas Zukerman settled in America in 1962 where he studied at The Juilliard School with Ivan Galamian. He has been awarded the Medal of Arts, the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence and was appointed as the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative's first instrumentalist mentor in the music discipline. Zukerman's extensive discography contains over 100 titles, and has earned him 21 Grammy Award nominations and two awards.

Zukerman's international acclaim of several decades also extends to the conductor's podium and audiences in the Western Cape have a choice of two programmes in which to experience Zuckerman as both a violinist and as conductor.

On 19 August, Zukerman and Forsyth will present a programme of the Vivaldi double concerto, Boccherini cello concerto and Mozart violin concerto no 5 in A major K219 with the SAMA-winning Stellenbosch University Camerata, who accompanied Joshua Bell to critical acclaim in 2012. This concert will take place at Stellenbosch University's Endler Hall at 8pm.

Commencing at 8pm on 22 and 23 August the duo will perform Malcolm Forsyth's Elektra Rising for cello and orchestra as well as Bruch's famous violin concerto with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra in the Cape Town City Hall and the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch, respectively. Whilst Zukerman will conduct Elektra Rising, he will also appear as soloist in the Bruch under the baton of resident music director Corvin Matei.

Dr Malcolm Forsyth (1936 to 2011) was born in Pietermaritzburg and as a citizen of Canada was named Canadian Composer of the year (1989) whilst in 2003, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada. Elektra Rising is a complex and beautiful work that exploits the full range of the solo cello. These performances by Forsyth's daughter and son-in-law represent a homecoming of sorts for this internationally acclaimed composer. Amanda Forsyth has performed and recorded her father's compositions throughout her career, winning a Juno Award in 1997 for her recording of his cello concerto Elektra Rising. The effusive critical acclaim for cellist Amanda Forsyth's playing and technique is as varied as the range she displays as an internationally in-demand soloist, chamber musician and principal cello of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra. Critics have praised her vibrant, assertive and energetic sound while also hailing her as a warm, lyrical, articulate and gracious musician. In all roles, she is noted as a performer of distinction and dedication with impeccable technique and command.

Pinchas Zukerman has remained a phenomenon in the world of music for over four decades. His musical genius, prodigious technique and unwavering artistic standards are a marvel to audiences and critics. Devoted to the next generation of musicians, he has inspired younger artists with his magnetism and passion. His enthusiasm for teaching has resulted in innovative programmes in London, New York, China, Israel and Ottawa. The name Pinchas Zukerman is equally respected as violinist, violist, conductor, pedagogue and chamber musician.

Booking is open at Computicket and patrons are encouraged to book early for these gala affairs. Ticket prices range from R350 (pensioners) to R450 and further information can be obtained from Leon van Zyl az.ca.nus@lyznavnoel or +27 (0)21 808 2358.