The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) returns to the Klein Karoo, amidst a sterling array of chamber music concerts, fine art, food and wine, and joins forces with the first Klein Karoo Festival Choir, to be convened especially for the occasion, at Oudtshoorn's second Klein Karoo Klassique festival from 29 September – 3 October.

The winning team, TwoPianists (Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhaes), who wowed audiences last year, and who have compiled the chamber music component of ths year's festival, will offer a varied programme with a version of the Bach Goldberg Variations for two pianos at its core. They have assembled a superlative group of South African musicians, along with outstanding international visitors, to perform well-loved chamber works by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, lots of Mendelssohn (including a camarata-style program featuring Mendelssohn's rarely heard concerto for violin and piano), highlights from the Romantic chamber repertoire for larger ensembles (including the piano quintets by Schumann and Dvorak, Brahms' sextet and Mendelssohn's octet), as well as highly attractive modern works by Ives, Bartok and Korngold.

Artists on the programme at the year's Klein Karoo Klassique include: Farida Bacharova (violin), Aristide du Plessis (cello), Maria du Toit (clarinet), Marian Lewin (cello), Gareth Lubbe (viola), Peter Martens (cello), Searmi Park (violin), David Snaith (viola), Frank Stadler (violin), Liesl Stolz (flute) and Denise Sutton (violin). The CPO will perform under the baton of Brandon Phillips and offers a gala programme featuring a popular concerto and highlights from the operatic repertoire.

A first for this year will be a specially convened Klein Karoo Festival Choir. This choir, which will be made up of selected voices from in and around Oudtshoorn, will team up with the CPO and the renowned St. George's Singers from Cape Town, under the directorship of Barry Smith, to present a rousing closing festival rendition of Händel's Messiah.

There are several other attractive offerings to include in a visit to the festival. These include discussions with several of the musicians, and the release of widely respected Oudtshoorn-based artist and writer Thijs Nel's latest book. Several other local galleries will present exhibitions of work from visual artists in and around the Klein Karoo, local makers of gourmet wines, olives, chocolates, cheese and more, will present engaging demonstrations, and famous local restaurants will present special festival menus.

Full programme available mid-July. Bookings open 2 August 2010. For more information contact 044 - 203 8600 or visit www.klassique.co.za.

Source: KKNK Media Relations/KKNK Mediaverhoudinge

  Article Date: 12 July 2010