Artscape/Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Youth Music Festival 2017
Presented in collaboration with the Distell Foundation
46th Annual Event
Saturday, 2 September 2017 at 19h30
Artscape Theatre
Conducted by Brandon Phillips
Celebrating the achievements of young classical musicians
Top (L-R): Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (23) (soprano), Rian Smit (21) (flute), Darryn Kenned (24) (bass baritone), Tessa Campbell (21) (violin), Jacobus de Jager (20) (piano), Kabelo Lebyana (24) (bass baritone) and resident conductor of the CPO and conductor for the Festival Brandon Phillips. Front (L-R): Colette Brand (22) (cello), Alice Clegg (24) (piano) and Fan Simon Wu (17) (piano)
Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) in collaboration with the Distell Foundation celebrate the 46th Western Cape Youth Music Festival on Saturday, 2 September 2017. This prestigious annual event offers accomplished musicians the opportunity of playing with a symphony orchestra on a professional concert stage. Eleven extraordinarily talented classical music instrumentalists and singers successfully auditioned and will perform with the CPO in the Artscape Theatre at 19h30. It is a highlight on the classical music calendar and sold out every year.
Six of the soloists are currently studying at the SA College of Music at UCT, three at the University of Stellenbosch and two at SACS and Westerford High Schools. The pianists are Alice Clegg (24), Fan Simon Wu (17) and Jacobus de Jager (20). Rian Smit (21) plays the flute, Colette Brand (22) cello and Tessa Campbell (21) and Jordan Brooks (14) the violin. There are two sopranos, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (23) and Frances du Plessis (23). Darryn Kenned (24) and Kabelo Lebyana (24) are both bass baritone singers. All have won several awards in various categories.
Brandon Phillips, resident conductor and principal bassoon of the CPO will conduct the orchestra with works chosen by each of the soloist. The appeal of the works presented, as well as good variety in the overall programme content, played an important part in the final selection of these musicians. They will play works by Mozart, Lalo, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Vieuxtemps, Weber, Sarasate, Liszt and South African composer Hans Roosenschoon. Much of the biggest repertoire and most exciting to listen to and perform is in the concerto field (instrument with orchestra) and opera field (voice and orchestra). Concert master is Patrick Goodwin.
The adjudicating panel were Alastair Cockburn (artistic coordinator), Daniel Neal (librarian and adhoc cellist for the CPO), Aviva Pelham (well-known opera star and director), Ronnie Samaai (member of the CPO board of directors and Phillip Swales (former music subject adviser of the Western Cape Education Department). Their dedication to this project over many years has seen the growth of many successful musicians who today are performing on local and international stages. The Youth Music Festival being their first.
Marlene le Roux, CEO of Artscape says: "Each year we are overwhelmed at the standard of these young musicians who audition. We embrace their dedication and passion as they also represent many up and coming classical musicians in the Western Cape. The teachers, music institutions and parents that nurture and support these young musicians are to be congratulated. This is a journey of many years, but this festival is a dream realised as they step on to the Artscape stage in performance with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra."
Tickets cost R80. Pensioners and students R40 with valid ID, Scholars 5-18 R40. Block bookings of 10 or more less 10%. Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695, Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets, call 0861 915 8000 or book online (Computicket).
The demand for tickets is great so it is suggested to book early.
More information:
Details and suburbs of soloist in concert order
|
Name |
Instrument |
Suburb |
School/University |
|
Alice Clegg (24) |
Piano |
Tokai |
SA College of Music – UCT |
|
Jordan Brooks (14) |
Violin |
Fairways |
Westerford High School |
|
Rian Smit (21) |
Flute |
Brackenfell |
University of Stellenbosch |
|
Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha (23) |
Soprano |
Cape Town |
SA College of Music – UCT |
|
Darryn Kenned (24) |
Bass baritone |
Liesbeeck Gardens |
SA College of Music – UCT |
|
Fan Simon Wu (17) |
Piano |
Milnerton |
SACS |
|
Colette Brand (22) |
Cello |
Stellenbosch |
University of Stellenbosch |
|
Frances du Plessis (23) |
Soprano |
Muizenburg |
SA College of Music – UCT |
|
Kabelo Lebyana (24) |
Bass baritone |
Mowbray |
SA College of Music – UCT |
|
Tessa Campbell (21) |
Violin |
Observatory |
SA College of Music – UCT |
|
Jacobus de Jager (20) |
Piano |
Stellenbosch |
University of Stellenbosch |
Concert programme 2017
|
Piano Concerto in D minor, K466, 1st movement Soloist: Alice Clegg |
Mozart |
|
Symphonie Espagnole for Violin and Orchestra, 1st movement Soloist: Jordan Brooks |
Lalo |
|
“To the tune of ……” for Flute and Orchestra, 2nd movement Soloist: Rian Smit |
Hans Roosenschoon |
|
Aria: Pace, pace mio Dio from “La Forza del Destino” Soprano: Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha |
Verdi |
|
Aria: Il Lacerato Spirito from “Simon Boccanegra” Bass baritone: Darryn Kenned |
Verdi |
|
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, 3rd movement Soloist: Fan Simon Wu |
Tchaikovsky |
Interval
|
Cello Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op 46, 1st movement Soloist: Colette Brand |
Vieuxtemps |
|
Aria: Leise, leise, fromme Weise from “Der Freischütz” Soprano: Frances du Plessis |
Weber |
|
Aria: La vendetta from “Le nozze di Figaro” Bass baritone: Kabelo Lebyane |
Mozart |
|
Zigeunerweisen for violin and orchestra Soloist: Tessa Campbell |
Sarasate |
|
Totentanz for piano and orchestra Soloist: Jacobus de Jager |
Liszt |
The Festival is supported by the National Department of Arts and Culture (DAC).
Artscape is an Agency of the DAC.
Background of the festival
The inception of the YMF dates back to the opening of Artscape (formerly the Nico Malan Theatre) in 1971. In that year, an orchestra was formed by David Tidboald to service the various performing arts genres (opera, ballet etc) attached to the new theatre centre. He also had the vision to start the youth music festival concept whereby young instrumental soloists and singers would be given the opportunity of performing annually with a professional orchestra.
When the old CAPAB orchestra and the CPO amalgamated in 1997, the YMF continued under the joint banner of the “new” orchestra and Artscape. The festival concert has been presented in various venues over the years including the Cape Town City Hall, the Artscape Opera House and the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch.
In 2003, on the initiative of the Artscape Audience Development and Education Department, now known as the Inclusive Arts Department, the Youth Jazz Music Festival came on board and was presented as an extension of the original concept.
Both the Classical and Jazz festivals have been generously supported by the Distell Foundation.
The Classical Youth Music Festival
Traditionally, the event is widely advertised early in the year at the various local universities, music schools, libraries, private music teachers etc. The main criteria are that the entrants be bona fide music students that they perform at a very high standard, and are resident or studying in the Western Cape. The emphasis of the festival is that it is a celebration of young musical talent and not a competition.
The Youth Jazz Festival
Since inception, this festival has grown extensively to accommodate the enormous interest and exceptional talent of young jazz musicians. The project spans over 10 weeks and includes a mentorship programme with skills development within the jazz genre to foster and encourage the investment of cultural democratisation of our country. This year the festival was held on the 30th June, 2017. It was an evening of all South African Jazz which is to be continued each year to acknowledge and pay tribute to South African Jazz musicians and composers.
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