The celebrated Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s first symphony season of the year runs from Wednesday, 27 February to Thursday, 21 March, with these regular concerts taking place on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Linder Auditorium in Parktown, Johannesburg.

The first season has been made possible through Anglo American’s generous funding. “This year, the Anglo American symphony season’s colourful programming was influenced by many factors, the main being the JPO’s latest five-disc compendium, where we have recorded all of Beethoven’s nine symphonies,” remarks Shadrack Bokaba. “As a result, the four-week season will feature three of the symphonies, to whet the appetite of the audience. We have further added his third piano concerto to be performed by local pianist, Francois du Toit, as well as Beethoven’s Prometheus overture. So it is a very much Beethoven Festival.”

Russian pianist, Alexander Lubyantsev will be performing Chopin’s first as well as Rachmaninov’s third piano concertos. “We thank Anglo American for making this symphony season possible”, Bokaba added.

Pranil Ramchander, head of Group Corporate Communications South Africa at Anglo American says “Anglo American has identified classical music as a crucial aspect of arts and culture development in South Africa, which is why Anglo American has continued to support this art form and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. We believe that the maintenance of a world class orchestra will prove beneficial through the promotion of creativity, artistic endeavor, and instilling national pride in our classical music offering.”

JPO has become renowned for presenting a programme that is varied and with an extremely popular repertoire. This year is no exception. So, over and above the Beethoven extravaganza, the concerts will also feature a selection of well-known and much-beloved compositions from composers the likes of Mozart, Mendelssohn and more, which will be performed by the orchestra and a selection of skilled soloists. Conductor Robert Maxym will bring his usual flare to the concerts.

On Wednesday, 27 and Thursday, 28 February, Du Toit, who is one of South Africa’s leading pianists and musicians, will kick off the season in style with Beethoven’s piano concerto No.3, in C minor, and the night ending with Beethoven’ Symphony No.6, op.68, F major (Pastorale).

The second week, Wednesday, 6 and Thursday, 7 March, will see South African violinist Serge Cuca give new meaning to Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1, op.26, in G minor. Beethoven’s Symphony No.4, op.60, B-flat major follows after an interval.

Then, on Wednesday, 13 and Thursday, 14 March, the young Russian pianist Lubyantsev is back to provide his magic touch to Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1, op.11, E minor.

Lubyantsev will bring the season to a close with the fourth and final concert on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 March. His rendition of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.3, op.30, D minor will excite fans, while the orchestra’s Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5, op.64, E minor will provide a perfect end to the series.

All concerts are held at the Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, at 20:00 with a free pre-concert talk at 19:15.
Booking for all concerts can be done through Computicket or Box Office on the night. Season Tickets are available from the JPO by phoning 011 789 2733 or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, visit www. jpo.co.za.