WSS 40th Anniversary Celebration by Khosa, Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff, Dvořák, Da (2023/2023), Direttore d'orchestra Justus Franz, Playhouse Opera Theatre, Pretoria, Sudafrica

Our World Symphony Series Spring Season kicks off on 19 October 2023. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to celebrate our 40th Anniversary with us. We are joined on stage by our sister orchestra, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, for what promises to be an unforgettable evening. The rest of the Spring Season continues from 26th October – 9 November, every Thursday at 7pm, at the Playhouse Opera Theatre. ‘From time to time nations get blessed with prodigies. In the years 1936 to 2013, South Africa hosted one such musical prodigy – SJ Khosa’. These words appear on a commemorative website under the headline ‘Welcome to the home of Shalati Joseph Khoza – Musical Prodigy of Africa’. From the vast legacy SJ left to posterity (a staggering body approaching 1000 compositions), we have chosen an extract from a collection of his songs titled Vun’we (The Power of Unity) to usher in our 40th Anniversary Season – and as a tribute to our Guest of Honour in absentia, the late Dr Shalati Joseph Khosa. In curating this programme, our followers will note we’re painting with broad brush strokes. So what better way to follow the evening’s emotive curtain-raiser than by bringing on the dazzling virtuoso pianist, Valentina Lesitsa to perform one of the world’s best loved warhorses, the iconic Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. KZN Phil stalwarts will recall the impact this extraordinary artist made on us during her debut appearance here some years ago. And then, to crown the evening, we give you one of the world’s most beloved masterworks, Dvorák’s mighty Ninth Symphony ‘From the New World’. Composed in 1893 while the Czeck master was the director of the National Conservatory of Music of America, it premiered in New York City on 16 December 1893. The phenomenal place it holds in annals of Human Cultural Achievement has long been secured. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took a tape recording of the New World Symphony along during the Apollo 11 mission, the first Moon landing in 1969. No need to trot out an analysis of the work on this occasion. Just sit back and let its wonderful melodies carry you over the Moon and beyond. Please note that this performance may be filmed. By entering the event, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Season tickets are only available through our offices on marketing@kznphil.org.za or 031 369 9438. Single tickets may be purchased through Quicket.