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Stefan Velkov Guitar Recital
2018-04-19

19 April 2018

Odeion

19:30

Bulgarian-born Stefan Velkov was introduced to music since earliest childhood. His official training in music theory, piano and guitar started at the age of seven.

Stefan received his first music degree as a guitar and light music performer from the Bulgarian State Conservatoire (later renamed to Bulgarian Academy of Music). At this stage (the late seventies of the 20th century) the guitar in Bulgaria was still regarded mostly as a light-music instrument. That is why it was included as a study subject only within the Light Music Department of the Conservatoire. The interest and the knowledge of the classical guitar was still at its infancy, but its popularity was growing fast. This made it necessary for the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture to make a historic decision: for the first time in Bulgarian music history, a decision was made to send a young Bulgarian guitarist to Germany to receive a proper music degree in classical guitar and to return to Bulgaria and introduce classical guitar as a subject at the Bulgarian Academy of Music.

After competing with all the most talented guitarists of the country, Stefan won the competition which enabled him to receive a master's degree in classical guitar from the Berliner Hochschule fur Musik Hanns Eisler. He completed his studies in guitar, piano and composition with a special reward of the Hochshule as one of the five best students. During his studies he also won the competition for the best guitar composition.

During his studies abroad (1981 - 1988) Stefan met and had masterclasses with most of the best guitar professors and guitar maestros of our time: Maria-Livia Sao Marcos (Switzerland/ Brazil), Costas Cotsiolis (Greece), Dieter Kreidler (Germany) and Leo Brouwer (Cuba).

In 1986 he was appointed as the first classical guitar lecturer at the Bulgarian Academy of Music and chairperson of the guitar festivals and competitions. This was the time when his own active concert career began. Stefan's repertoire includes most of the great masterpieces ever written for this instrument, but he became more and more known for his own compositions for guitar which, according to critics, outshine the best known masterpieces created for classical guitar.

Stefan’s arrival in SA (1991), coincided with the search of the Free State Musicon for a qualified guitar lecturer in order to introduce the subject classical guitar as part of its music training programme. He was offered the position of senior guitar lecturer at the Musicon which he holds until present day. During this time he also taught at the University of the Free State (1992 - 1999).

Stefan has given concerts in Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, England and South Africa.

PROGRAMME

  • Velkov: Summer Dream
    From the golden heritage of the classical guitar:
    • Villa-Lobos: Prelude
  • Two Magnificent Arpeggios
    • Giuliani
    • Brower
  • Two Romantic Pieces:
    • Velkov: Serenade
    • Velkov: Adagio (The Magic Of Love)
  • Velkov: Bulgarian Suite for Guitar
    • I Bulgarian folk dance
    • II Bulgarian folk-singing
    • III Bulgarian folk dance in 7/8
    • IV Bulgarian folk-song
    • V Bulgarian folk dance in 9/8
  • Velkov: Tango
  • Velkov: Two Modern Dances
  • Velkov: The Wild Horse

ADMISSION

  • R120 (adults)
  • *R80 (pensioners)
  • *R70 (UFS staff)
  • *R50 (students, learners and block bookings of 10+)

Tickets available at Computicket or online at http://online.computicket.com/web/

*Please note that tickets for pensioners, students, learners and UFS staff can only be purchased at a Computicket outlet (Shoprite Checkers) or at the doors since a valid card or ID has to be presented to qualify for the above mentioned discount.

ENQUIRIES
Ninette Pretorius (tel. 051 401 2504)


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Odeion Sinfonia under the leadership of Anmari van der Westhuizen

Odeion Sinfonia under the leadership of Anmari van der Westhuizen

Soloists:

Eljee du Plooy (organ)

Lourie Coetzee (organ)

Lebogang Ledwaba (violin)

Sunday, 14 April 2013 

Odeion

16:00

The Odeion Sinfonia is a string orchestra housed in the Odeion School of Music at the University of the Free State and comprising string students studying at the school. The principle aims of the orchestra are to provide excellent training and valuable experience in string and ensemble playing, to adequately prepare string students for orchestral playing, to present them with numerous ensemble and orchestral concert playing opportunities and to generally promote quality string and ensemble playing. Under the direction of the highly acclaimed cellist and chamber musician, Anmari van der Westhuizen (cellist of the Odeion String Quartet) who has more than thirty years of experience, students are receiving experienced and expert musical guidance and direction, and, together with their participation in the orchestra, are enabled to shape and develop their playing and ensemble skills to full potential.

The orchestra was founded by Anmari during her first year of residence at the UFS and the OSQ in 2009.  It was first known as the Kovsie String Ensemble, but a year later (2010), it became the Odeion Sinfonia, replacing a previous semi-professional string ensemble by the same name under the direction of Derek Ochse. Since then, the new Odeion Sinfonia has become a vibrant, quality student string orchestra, attracting much attention through well received concerts of a high standard, as well as by being a successful draw card for aspiring young string students. The orchestra’s repertoire includes well known works for string orchestra, as well as contemporary compositions.

An important mission of the Odeion Sinfonia is that of outreach concerts. The Odeion Sinfonia is giving regular concerts every year and has weekly rehearsals throughout the two academic semesters of the year. With this concert the Odeion Sinfonia will perform well known compositions by Albinoni, Piazzolla as well as the popular Organ Concerto by Poulenc.

Programme:

Tomaso Albinoni – Adagio in G minor for violin, organ continuo and string orchestra

Francis Poulenc – Organ Concerto in G minor

Astor Piazzolla – Oblivion (with William Earl – piano)

Admission:

Free (no booking necessary).

Enquiries:   

Ninette Pretorius (tel. 051 401 2504)

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