As part of the Konservatorium Concert Series, the South African National Youth Orchestra (SA NYO) returns to the Cape after a long absence. They will be performing for a one-night-only concert at the Endler Hall at the University of Stellenbosch, at 20:00 on Wednesday, 9 December.

A programme of South African works by Mokale Koapeng; Robert Fokkens; and Peter Klatzow, as well as the Russian masterpiece, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, will showcase the talent of the top youth orchestra in the country as they share their love for South African music with the audience.

The orchestra will be conducted by the young Swedish sensation, Fredrik Burstedt, who makes his debut in South Africa. As concertmaster and principal player, he has worked closely with renowned conductors such as Claudio Abbado; Gustavo Dudamel; and Daniel Harding, and he brings vitality and energy to the podium.

Johannesburg-based composer Mokale Koapeng’s Isijabane, commissioned by the SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts, was premiered in July in Johannesburg by the SA NYO at the culmination of the Sasol National Youth Orchestra Course. Isijabane is a medley of four contemporary folk songs, Thula S’thandwa Sam’; Sizongena Laph’ Emzini; Mamosimane; and Xisaka Xatuva. Its rhythmic energy inspired a standing ovation at the premiere.

A winner in the NewMusicSA and the South African National Youth Orchestra Foundation’s Call for Scores 2009 is Peach Blossoms from the series Three Paintings by Irma Stern by renowned composer Peter Klatzow. The original Irma Stern painting is on public view in the Irma Stern Museum in Rosebank, Cape Town. Klatzow expresses his wish for the future of music in South Africa as “For us to have pride in South African music.”

Robert Fokkens (a SA NYO alumnus) is a South African composer based in London. His music has been performed in many major venues in the UK including the Wigmore Hall; the Royal Festival Hall; and the Purcell Room. His music is also heard frequently in South Africa, and has been performed in Germany; the Netherlands; Australia; the USA; and Japan, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3. His first orchestral composition, Strobe (written in 1999) is everything its name implies, and will have the audience dancing to the beat.

The SA National Youth Orchestra Foundation is dedicating this performance of Scheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov's setting of tales set in Baghdad in 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights, to the Iraqi National Youth Orchestra. This orchestra, which was established under war-torn conditions in Iraq and held its first course with 35 young musicians in August this year, is true to the spirit of all youth orchestras: in the words of its founder and artistic director, 18-year-old Iraqi musician Zuhal Sultan, “Music will make young people listen to each other and interact” and thus bring about a better world.

The South African National Youth Orchestra (founded in 1964) is formed anew each year at the winter youth orchestra course and comprises the cream of young South African musicians. Members are chosen on merit and include players from all communities. The quality of the orchestra’s performances nationally and internationally (in tours of Europe, Israel and Russia) has been critically acclaimed.

Tickets will be available from Computicket and at the door, and range in price between R70 and R98.