Classical music lovers are in for a treat as the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) unveils a vibrant new season of four Spring Symphony concerts at the Cape Town City Hall.
Running from Thursday 28 August to Thursday 18 September, this series promises a rich blend of classical masterpieces, contemporary works, and exciting premieres.
The season will be led by internationally renowned conductors Daniel Raiskin and Martin Panteleev, with Charlene Verster taking the baton for a curtain-raiser during the final concert.
The closing performance will also feature the world premiere of “The Silence of the Day”, a song cycle by celebrated Cape Town composer Grant McLachlan.
Opening Night: 28 August
The season launches on 28 August with a thrilling all-American programme. Pianist Francois du Toit joins the CPO to perform George Gershwin’s “Concerto in F”, conducted by Daniel Raiskin, music director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic.
The concert also includes Leonard Bernstein’s Candide overture and “Symphonic Dances” from West Side Story, alongside John Williams’s rousing “The Cowboys Overture”.
4 September
Raiskin returns to the podium for a powerful second concert featuring the rising star of the European classical scene, Tassilo Probst.
The German violinist will perform Wieniawski’s “Violin Concerto”, with the CPO also presenting Beethoven’s “Prometheus Overture” and Shostakovich’s dramatic “Symphony No. 6 in B minor”.
11 September
From Eastern Europe to the Iberian Peninsula: Martin Panteleev, principal guest conductor of the Würth Symphony Orchestra, takes the stage for the third concert.
Spanish guitar virtuoso Álvaro Toscana will enchant audiences with Rodrigo’s beloved Concierto de Aranjuez. The programme also features De Falla’s “Three-Cornered Hat Suite No. 2” and Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4”, promising an evening of fiery passion and elegance.
Grand Finale: 18 September
The final concert opens with a special appearance by the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Ensemble, performing “Celebration and Dance” by James Swearingen, under the baton of Charlene Verster.
Martin Panteleev returns to conduct Dukas’s whimsical “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, followed by the premiere of Grant McLachlan’s “The Silence of the Day”. This poignant song cycle, originally written for baritone, double bass and piano, has been newly orchestrated for full symphony.
With baritone William Berger as soloist, the work sets six evocative South African poems to music. The texts explore the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cape’s natural landscapes, contrasted with the emotional weight of everyday life in South Africa.
The evening will conclude with Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique”, a dramatic masterpiece.
Talks
Pre-concert talks will be held before each performance – the first two presented by Albert Combrink, and the latter by John Woodland, who will be joined by Grant McLachlan on 18 September to offer further insight into “The Silence of the Day”.
Secure parking is available on the Grand Parade, with dog patrols.
Tickets range from R190 to R450.
Book via Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695 or at Webtickets.
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