Litnet

THE UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA has maintained a symphony orchestra for most of the now more than forty years since the Department was founded. The Orchestra achieved prominence in the 1990s under the direction of Alan Solomon. It was reorganized in 2002, giving performances of both well-known works and rarities under the baton of Lance Philip and Walter Mony. It has further expanded under the direction of Eric Rycroft and the appointment of a manager for the orchestra, Philippa Kotzé in 2003. It is today the only large-scale orchestra in Pretoria that performs the symphonic repertoire on a regular basis. Considering the immense programmes the orchestra has performed in the last five years, it can be said that the orchestra has indeed been experiencing a period of prosperity. In 2006 and 2007 alone, the orchestra undertook tours to the Little Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) in April and Aardklop Arts Festival in September. Further productions included Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” in August (2006), a concert series with international soloist, Stef Bos in October (2006), Nataniël, friends and his band (October 2007). The orchestra has also toured extensively, performing in Mpumalanga in the Sudwala Caves and in the Botanical Gardens for Mothers Day in Nelspruit, as well as Phalaborwa. During 2008 the orchestra had many concerts as part of the University’s centenary celebrations. In March, the Romantic Russian programme was successfully performed for the UP Bookjol, including Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony. A wonderful programme of favourites, A Hundred Years of Hot Hits: 1908 – 2008, was received with adoration in May. The orchestra performed the same programme on a highly successful tour to Phalaborwa. The highlight of the year, however, was Mendelssohn’s Symphony Cantata No. 2 (Lobgesang), performed at the Principal’s Concert with Soloists, Choir, Orchestra and Organ. The year ended on an appropriately high note with Amanda Strydom, an old Tuks alumnus, in concert with the UPSO in October in the Aula. 2009 and 2010 were bumper years where audiences heard Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto and Pathetique Symphony, a premier of Piazolla’s Tango suite in South Africa, a legendary concert with diva, Laurika Rauch, Liszt’s Totentanz, works by South African Composers, Ravel’s Bolero and a highly enjoyable concert with Charl Du Plessis and Nataniël doing the true story of Tchaikovksy’s Swan Lake. 2011 started off with a highly successful programme consisting of Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, talented child prodigy Emmanuel Bach’s rendition of Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy and a suite of music from the motion picture, Braveheart. This programme featured at the KKNK as well. In the second programme, “A Vivid Visit to Vienna,” the orchestra brilliantly performed the music of 18th and 19th century Viennese composers. From the Tritsch Tratsch and Thunder and Lightning Polkas to the Radetzky March and Emperor Waltz, adding a touch of Mozart, this programme created a fun, fresh and lively concert experience for audiences. Every year the orchestra performs with celebrity musicians. In this year the orchestra collaborated with the acclaimed guitar duo CH2. The year was concluded with the orchestra’s annual concerto festival. A highly successful concert with members of the orchestra appearing as soloists, performing from well-known works by Bruch and Dvorák to the premiere of one of the soloist’s own works. The orchestra, along with Tobie Cronjé started off 2012 with Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals which brought out the inner child in every member of the audience. The programme was also taken on tour to the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunste-Fees and received high acclaim. A highly popular rendition of Holst’s Planets and Williams’ Star Wars Suite was performed and later in the year the orchestra rocked to the legendary music of Queen alongside the musical celebrity, Joseph Clark. The year concluded with the annual concerto festival showcasing the many, talented members of the orchestra. Under new management, the Orchestra promises an exciting program for 2013. From Berlioz to Romanz, Charl du Plessis and a swinging orchestra, keep an eye open for show stopping performances!