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Musicality Celebrated in its Diversity at the National Arts Festival

PRESS RELEASE
Released: 1 June 2010

Where else than in Grahamstown can audiences expect Afrikaans Rock icon Karen Zoid on the same programme as the legendary Vusi Mahlasela and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra? Mix in classical recitals by acclaimed German pianist Florian Uhligh, organist Jeremy Joseph, concerts by Standard Bank Young Artist award-winner for Music Samson Diamond, as well as World Fusion music sounds by the Malaysian band Akasha, and many more.  The National Arts Festivalís main music programme caters for music tastes as diverse as the musicians who will be on stage this year, from 20 June ñ 4 July.

Samson Diamond will be performing Sonata for Solo Violin, No. 2 in A minor, Op. 21 by EugËne Ysa?e (1858-1931) and Black Angels by George Crumb (1929 - ). These two works are influenced both harmonically and liturgically by the 13th century Latin hymn Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) that describes the day of judgement, the last trumpet summoning souls before the throne of God. Black Angels is an avant-garde composition for an electric string quartet and is probably the only quartet to have been inspired by the Vietnam War. The work is played on a variety of instruments including tam-tams, contrabass bows, glass rods, crystals, metal thimbles and maracas while drawing on an arsenal of sounds including shouting, chanting, whistling, whispering and gongs. Musicians Kabelo Motlhomi (violin), Elbe Roberts (viola) and Kutlwano Masote (cello) will join Diamond for Black Angels ñ Thirteen Images from the Dark Land.

The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Symphony Concert programme, conducted by Richard Cock, celebrates two anniversaries this year. They will be performing the Donna Diana Overture, the popular overture by Emil von Reznicek (1860-1945) as well as Robert Schumannís (1810 - 1856) Piano Concerto in A minor Op. 54 with visiting virtuoso Florian Uhlig. To complete the picture the orchestra concludes with Antonin Dvor·kís (1841-1904) Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 ìFrom the New Worldî, which has never waned in its appeal since its first performance in New York in 1893.

The Gala Concert will see the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra perform with Samson Diamond (violin), 2010 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music, as well as guest artist Shannon Mowday (saxophone) (2007 Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz). Richard Cock will introduce the programme in his own inimitable style. The concert is suitable for the whole family with audience participation especially for celebrating the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Jill Richards and Liza Joubert (pianos) with Shaughn Macrae (sound engineer/projectionist) bring Karlheinz Stockhausenís Mantra to the Festival. Considered as one of the piano masterpieces of the 20th century, it places huge demands on the pianists without being inaccessible to audiences. It is as much visual as aural, going well beyond the realm of conventional two piano works. It calls for both pianists to strike antique cymbals and woodblocks as well as use their voices, and to tune sine waves to various frequencies. A major feature of Mantra is the ring modulation, where sounds from the pianos are processed electronically to create two ìsuper- instrumentsî. Macrae built the ring modulators from scratch in order to reproduce the original 1970 analogue equipment. Audience members will hear the overall sonic effect of natural piano sound and manipulated sound.

Springing from deep tradition and expanding into the infinite, AkashA seeks to explore beyond the boundaries of tradition and beyond the constraints of culture. This vibrant 7-piece World Fusion Music band hails from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the musicians use traditional instruments such as the Sitar, Tabla, Mridangam, Kanjira, Cajon, Rebana and Dharabouka to fuse with modern instruments such as the acoustic bass, nylon and steel guitars, and the piano. Ranging from the Bossanova, Blues and Irish Riverdance, AkashA also introduces the audience to the multi-ethnicity that Malaysia and Asia has through its music.

Celso Duarte & Ensemble is a combination of traditional, classical and jazz players from Mexico. Celso Duarte uses the harp and its different expressions to invite the audience on a musical journey through the southeast of Mexico, to the rhythms of the Galopa Paraguaya and the Brazilian Samba, travelling through the different roots and cultural coincidences of the music. The beauty of this ensemble consists of both the execution of traditional music, which comes from their baroque and African roots, and the experimentation of fusion between jarocho rhythms and jazz, in which the instruments acquire an extraordinary versatility rarely seen. Their unique programme is presented courtesy of the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Council for Arts and Culture and Municipal Institute of Culture ñ Tourism.

Karen Zoidís first solo-album, Poles Apart (2001), fired the imagination of both critics and the public to such an extent that she became an icon of the South African youth, which the press renamed the Zoid Generation. Her work as a singer-songwriter has been included on many albums of other artists, as well as various compilations, and she has developed a following around the world which sees her travelling internationally twice a year, performing in the UK, Dubai, Canada or the United States. Touring the country and often headlining major festivals, she is supported by her accomplished band members Don Reinecke on lead guitar, Rixi Roman on bass and Marlon Green on drums and percussion.

Vusi Mahlasela is one of South Africaís most treasured artists whose unique voice and extraordinary music has become instantly recognisable around the world. From the outset, his songs addressed themes of political and social significance, and he found himself in demand at political rallies and cultural events. His message of peace also drew him into close contact with poetry groups, especially the Ancestors of Africa, a rousing group of poets, musicians and actors, formed in 1981. His first record, When You Come Back, was recorded and released in 1991 and is widely acknowledged as a South African classic. The album Wisdom of Forgiveness, released in the same year as when he performed at the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela, earned him a finalist nomination for Best Male Vocalist at the South African Music Awards. He has released three albums since, including the Gold-certified and double SAMA winning Silang Mabele (1997), Miyela Afrika in 2000, and his most recent Jungle Of Questions (2002), which he produced and recorded alongside his Proud Peopleís Band backing outfit. An accomplished guitarist, percussionist, composer, arranger, bandleader and performer, he now enjoys an ever growing following worldwide.

Masauko Chipembere and Neo Muyanga, who make up the power duo Blk Sonshine, captured the hearts of South African music fans a decade ago with Born In A Taxi, featured on their 2000 debut album Blk Sonshine. It became a smash hit and was soon being spoken about as a ìSouth African classicî. 2010 sees the long-awaited return of the band with a new album (four years in the making) and now two rare live performances in Grahamstown.

Bravura! is a recital by Michelle Veenemans (soprano), one of South Africaís most successful classical concert artists, with Paul Ferreira (piano), Gerrit Koorsen (cello) and Barbara Veenemans as Musical Director. Bravura is a term usually used to describe showmanship in performance singing, and Veenemans will be performing a number of challenging areas by composers that include Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Chopin, Verdi and Mendelssohn, as well as pieces by modern composers like Leonard Bernstein and Carlisle Floyd, showcasing her remarkable vocal abilities.

Born in D¸sseldorf, Florian Uhlig gave his first solo recital at the age of twelve. He studied with Peter Feuchtwanger and continued his studies at the Royal College of Music and at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he now lives. He has been involved extensively with promoting the appreciation of classical music in South Africa as the Musical Director of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival. His solo piano recital at the Festival will be a performance of works by Beethoven, Schumann and Liszt. The programme will include pieces that are on his new CD, which is the first volume of the complete recording of Schumann's piano solo works, to be released in June by H‰nssler Classic.

Dmitry Sitkovetsky made a transcription of the Bach Goldberg Variations BWV 988 for String Trio in 1985 to celebrate the composerís tercentenary, and dedicated it to the memory of the pianist Glenn Gould. Originally a set of an aria and 30 variations for harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach, it was published in 1741 as the fourth in a series Bach called Clavier‹bung. The work is considered to be one of the most important examples of variation form, and this transcription for string trio would be considered the pinnacle of chamber music at any festival in the world. The huge technical demands on the performers as well as the total concentration of the entire ëBach musical inventioní are fully exposed in this work. Yet, it is Bach, and accessible to any lover of classical music. The work will be performed at the Festival by Julliard graduate Zanta Hofmeyer (violin), Morkel Combrink (viola) and Wessel Beukes (cello).

Duetenori are the dynamic vocal duo of Siyabonga Maqungo and Zuko Cutu, members of the popular FNB 20 Tenors. Their repertoire is a wonderful blend of South African traditional, classical, light classical and contemporary pieces providing audiences with a rich variety of music entertainment. They are accompanied by a three piece rhythm band comprising of keyboard, drums and electric bass.

Formed in 2005, the Cello-Piano Duo combines the talents of two-award winning and critically acclaimed musicians, Polina Burdukova and Kerryn Wisniewski. Their recitals have been presented at some of South Africaís favourite classical music events including the UNISA Concert Series in Pretoria, the Darling Music Experience and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. A number of musical societies around the country have also hosted the duo.

Audiences and music critics in Europe have described Jeremy Joseph as one of the foremost organists, harpsichordists and continuo players of his generation. Born in 1978 in Durban, South Africa he grew up in the Indian township of Chatsworth. He took up organ lessons at the age of nine, and by age 14 he had become organist at the Emmanuel Cathedral of Durban. After matriculating he headed to Copenhagen for private classes under the tutorship of Hans Fagius. He followed this up with further studies with Martin Haselbˆck at the Music Academy in L¸beck from 1998 to 2003, and completed his Masters Degree in Stuttgart under J¸gen Essl. He will be performing a programme with works by Bach, Mozart and Reubke in Grahamstownís landmark Cathedral of St. Michael and St George.

The Eastern Cape Indigenous Orchestra includes women from the abaThembu and the AmaGcalaka clans. They are joined on stage by iNtojana (girl initiates) and male singers and dancers. These musicians, singers and dancers are the custodians of the priceless Xhosa traditional musical legacy of the Eastern Cape. With music arrangement by Mandisa Nguza, project management by Zolile Nkoyi, and Eastern Cape musicians on traditional instruments. This cultural showcase is a vibrant songbook of the Xhosa way of living, praying, mourning and celebrating through the richness of Xhosa traditional songs.

A one-off closer Songs of Migration featuring the internationally acclaimed stars Hugh Masekela and Sibongile Khumalo pays tribute to the great songs of migrants across the African continent. This musical celebration can be seen at the Guy Butler Theatre on July 4.

The music offering at the National Arts Festival will also include the stellar programme line-up of the Standard Bank Jazz Festival. Highlights this year will include not only Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner Melanie Scholtz, but also Robbie Jansenís Cape Jazz Spectacular, Darius Brubeck, Marcus Wyatt, Feya Faku and a rare acoustic set by Judith Sephuma. The Jazz programme has developed a reputation for presenting cutting-edge and exciting collaborations, and this year it features a reuniting of South Africaís own Sibongile Khumalo with Panamanian pianist Danilo Perez in what is sure to be a scintillating performance, amongst others. Not to mention the fresh line-up of Arena and Fringe musicians and bands, and the late night jam sessions at the Cuervo Music Room.

Tickets are available through Computicket. Booking kits available from selected Standard Bank Branches, selected Exclusive Books and all Computickets. For more information on the programme, accommodation and travel options visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za. Also join the National Arts Festival group on Facebook for all the latest competitions and news, or follow the Festival on Twitter.

The National Arts Festival is sponsored by Standard Bank, The Eastern Cape Government, The National Arts Council, The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, The Sunday Independent and M Net.

Ends

About the National Arts Festival: The National Arts Festival, now in its 36th year, has proved its sustainability and has grown to be one of the leading arts festivals in southern Africa. Its objectives are to deliver excellence; encourage innovation and development in the arts by providing a platform for both established and emerging South African artists; create opportunities for collaboration with international artists; and build new audiences.

ISSUED BY        :        THE FAMOUS IDEA TRADING CC
ON BEHALF OF    :        NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL, GRAHAMSTOWN
CONTACT        :        GILLY HEMPHILL /CILNETTE PIENAAR
TEL            :        021 886 4900
CELL            :        082 820 8584
EMAIL            :        gilly@thefamousidea.co.za