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Symphony Concert
2018-09-22

FSSO’s 4th Symphony Concert presented in collaboration with the OSM:

International guest pianist and FSSO virtuosi promise an evening of musical poetics

Conductor: Alexander Fokkens
Soloists: Vitaly Pisarenko (piano),
Odeion String Quartet,
Paul van Zuilenburg (trumpet),
Kobus Malan (oboe),
Danrè Strydom (clarinet),
Brahm Henkins (bassoon) and
Shannon Armer (French horn)
Date: Saturday, 22 September 2018
Time: 19:30
Venue: Odeion, UFS

On Saturday 22 September 2018, the Free State Symphony Orchestra’s (FSSO’s) fourth symphony concert of the year brings to the stage international piano virtuoso, Vitaly Pisarenko, and places a spotlight on the local talent of the Odeion String Quartet as well as a number of the FSSO’s principal players.

Regarded as one of the finest young musicians of his generation, Pisarenko has been dubbed as a ‘poet at the piano’ and is performing as guest piano soloist with the FSSO as part of the South African leg of his current world tour. After performing in a series of recitals and concerts with local orchestras, he moves on to the UK, Belgium, Hong Kong and Argentina. The concert in Bloemfontein will be his second last performance in South Africa.

Described by the New York Times as an “immensely gifted pianist… with prodigious technique, myriad shadings and scrupulous accuracy”, the Russian-born pianist already had his first public recital at the age of six. After winning the 8th International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in 2008, he took his place in the musical world as a pianist “of unusually soft touch and captivating expressiveness”, rapidly gaining worldwide recognition. His style has prompted more than one critic to compare his playing to that of “a young Franz Liszt”.

This evocative pianist will perform Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings, Opus 31 with the FSSO’s Paul van Zuilenburg as the trumpet soloist. Shostakovich originally composed the concerto as an experimentation with a neo-baroque combination of instruments. Despite the title, the work might more accurately be classified as a double concerto rather than a piano concerto in which the trumpet and piano command equal prominence. The trumpet parts frequently take the form of sardonic interjections, leavening the humour and wit of the piano passage work.

The Odeion String Quartet with Samson Diamond (violin), Sharon de Kock (violin), Jeanne-Louise Moolman (viola) and Anmari van der Westhuizen (cello) are the soloists in Elgar’s masterpiece, Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet and Strings. Scored for a string quartet and string orchestra, Elgar originally composed it to show off the players’ virtuosity. The score soon came to be recognised as a masterpiece and is likened to a multi-layered symphonic poem for string orchestra.

The programme concludes with Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds in E-flat major which is scored for solo oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon. The soloists for the Sinfonia Concertante will be four principal players of the FSSO: Kobus Malan (oboe), Danré Strydom (clarinet), Brahm Henkins (bassoon) and Shannon Armer (French horn).

When asked how he felt about joining the FSSO for this concert, Pisarenko responded by saying that this performance would represent a number of firsts for him: “Although this is my third visit to South Africa, it will be the first time that I perform in Bloemfontein. I’ve also always loved Shostakovich’s piano concerto and have wanted to play it for a long time. It is such a beautiful and expressive concerto, and I’ll be playing this fantastic piece for the very first time with the FSSO.”

Alexander Fokkens, CEO and Creative Director of the FSSO, concludes: “It’s very exciting to be able to showcase our immensely talented local orchestral musicians alongside a musician of Vitaly’s calibre. The programme for the evening will not only show off individual talent, but create an orchestral experience that will feel musically varied and poetically moving.”

Fokkens will also be conducting the concert on the evening. The FSSO’s fourth symphony concert for this year is presented in collaboration with the Odeion School of Music.


Admission:

Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults - R150; Pensioners and block bookings of 10 and more - R100; Children 3 to 18 years - R50.

Tickets are available at any Computicket outlet or online at online.computicket.com. For enquiries, contact Ella Kotze at the FSSO on 051 401 2342, Ninette Pretorius of the OSM on 051 401 2504, or visit the FSSO’s Facebook page (@ Free State Symphony Orchestra) for more information and regular updates.

For media enquiries and visuals, contact Daphney Teffo on 082 506 3551 or e-mail rdteffo@gmail.com


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Die troue

Description: Die Troue Tags: Die TroueName of production: Die Troue

Playwright: Anton Tsjechof

Director: Nico Luwes

Venue:  Wynand Mouton Theatre, UFS Main Campus

Language: Afrikaans

Genre: comedy

 

Dates and times:

2 March 2016             19:30 (free of charge, where donations can be made towards bursaries for needy students) 

3 March 2016             19:30

4 March 2016             17:30 & 19:30

 

Prices:  R 40.00 for adults / R 30.00 for students & scholars / R25.00 for pensioners.

Bookings:   Computicket (0861 915 8000)

 

Media release: Anton Tsjechof’s “Die troue” performed for student bursaries

 

Income from the first evening of this year’s first performance of the Free State University’s drama department in the Wynand Mouton Theatre, will be used for bursaries for needy drama students. No entrance fee will be charged, however, theatre-goers may either make a donation towards these bursaries, or enjoy the show for free.

 

The artistic year kicks off with a comical, newly translated ‘burlesque’, Die troue, (The Wedding) by world-famous Russian dramatist Anton Tsjechof (1860 – 1902). The play has never before been performed in English or Afrikaans in South Africa and is considered an unknown jewel for theatre-goers.

 

Prof Nico Luwes, head of the drama department, translated the comedy as ‘Die troue’ and will direct the show with honours students and a large group of third year drama students. Prof Nicol Viljoen of the Odeion School of Music will be the pianist at the wedding and will accompany the lady in the red dress when performing her French love song. Minette Grové-Reinach will choreograph the dances.

 

‘Die troue’ promises as much entertainment as the translated trilogy Tsjechov-Triptiek, three one-act plays which were performed at Vryfees 2015. The Tsjechov trilogy was named Best Free State Production 2015 and actor Chris Vorster bagged the prize as best actor for his role in ‘Tragiese kêrel – teen wil en dank’.

In ‘Die troue’, which will be performed as a full costume drama set in 1898, the audience will be treated to a typical Russian wedding with extravagant dances, boisterous singing, many a toast, comical speeches, amusing characters and other ridiculous traditions. As with many weddings, tensions run high, hoping everything goes well. But alas! Is the groom marrying for love or for the bride’s money? What is the bride’s ex-lover doing at the wedding? How does mother-in-law feel about the groom? Can the arrogant telegrapher keep his little Morse code hands off the seductive diva and pretentious singer? How does one maintain order when the guests have already tossed off so many vodkas, and tempers and hormone level begin to fly sky high?

 

And most importantly – will the General, whose presence will contribute a touch of status, ever arrive at the ceremony?

 

Come and enjoy the varying Russian temperaments of a group of eccentric characters and see how the jollifications and frolicsomeness of a wedding can unravel to the delight and entertainment of the whole family.

 

The play will be performed free of charge on 2 March at 19:30, in the Wynand Mouton Theatre, where donations can be made towards bursaries for needy students. Please phone 051 401 2160 to book for this performance. Bookings for the other performances on 3 March at 19:30, and 4 March at 17:30 and 19:30, can be made at Computicket.

 

*******

 

Come to a “wedding” and help a needy student!

One wouldn’t always get invited to a wedding in aid of a needy student! But ‘Die troue’ is not your customary wedding ceremony. It is a play brought to the stage by the University of the Free State’s drama department.

On the opening night of the play, no entrance fees will be asked, however, theatre-goers will have the chance to make a donation towards a bursary for needy students.

‘Die troue’ is a comical ‘burlesque’ set in 1989, in full costume, and is a newly translated Afrikaans version of dramatist Anton Tsjechov’s ‘The Wedding’.

It’s a typical Russian wedding with extravagant dances, boisterous singing, many a toast, comical speeches, amusing characters and other ridiculous traditions. Come and enjoy the varying Russian temperaments of a group of eccentric characters and see how the jollifications and frolicsomeness of a wedding can unravel to the delight and entertainment of the whole family.

The play will be performed free of charge on 2 March at 19:30, in the Wynand Mouton Theatre, where donations can be made towards bursaries for needy students. Please phone 051 401 2160 to book for this performance. For the other performances on 3 March at 19:30, and 4 March at 17:30 and 19:30, please book at Computicket.

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