Sunny Spanish Sensations
The University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra starts off the year with a spicy Spanish soiree.
A Journey to Sultry Spain
by Hennie Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen
The University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra starts off the year with a spicy Spanish soiree. In their new programme 'Sunny Spanish Sensations', audiences can expect the thrill of Spanish rhythms and the excitement of that special symphonic sound typical of Spanish composers.
The programme starts off with young English violinist, Emmanuel Bach playing Édouard Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole. Bach has South African roots and is returning for the second time to play as soloist with the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra - the first being in 2011 when he played Bruch's Scottish Fantasy with a virtuosic flair that earned him a nomination for the prestigious Kanna Slurpie Award at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees.
Following this flashy piece for violin and orchestra will be Joaquin Rodrigo's Cançoneta, a truly masterful work in which the uniquely Spanish fervour becomes fully apparent. The University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra became impassioned with Rodrigo's work after performing his famous Concierto de Aranjuez with guitar duo CH2 in 2011.
Next on the programme is the sunny Danzas Fantásticas by Joaquin Turina: a collection of Spanish dances masterfully woven into an orchestral grand oeuvre by Turina, rich with tantalising rhythms and delectable folk themes.
Danzas Fantásticas will be followed with the sultry gypsy taste of Pablo de Sarasate's Zigeunerweisen ('Gypsy Airs') - a collection of Romani themes for orchestra with dominant rhythmic devices found in the csárdás gypsy dance.
If that is not enough to satisfy your need for something spicy, a mysterious legend will conclude the evening's performance.
Maestro Eric Rycroft will conduct the concert on 20 March 2013 at 19:00 at the Musaion, University of Pretoria Hatfield Campus.
Tickets will be on sale at the door at R80 for adults and R50 for students and pensioners. For more information, please call 012 420 2947/4183 or email az.ca.pu@ospu.
The programme will also go on tour to the annual Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees, with two performances scheduled for 30 and 31 March 2013 in the ABSA Civic Centre, Oudtshoorn, at 18:00 and 10:00 respectively.
Date: 20 March 2013Time: 19:00
Venue: Musaion, University of Pretoria, Pretoria