KZN Philharmonic 2022 Winter Season

The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra has announced details of its three concert 2022 World Symphony Series Winter Season. This runs in The Playhouse Opera in Durban every Thursday between 2 and 16 June, each concert starting at 7pm.

The new Winter Season sees the welcome return to the podium for two concerts of KZNPO associate conductor, the popular Israeli American Daniel Boico, a long-time favourite with Durban audiences. The orchestra is also delighted to welcome back the young American maestro, Robert Moody, who made his KZNPO debut in 2019. On the soloist guest roster, the orchestra welcomes acclaimed new generation Venezuelan flautist Joidy Blanco; South African pianist Leo Gevisser; and acclaimed American piano virtuoso, Bryan Wallick.

Daniel Boico opens the season on 2 June with a performance of: Beethoven's popular Prometheus Overture to his ballet score, The Creatures of Prometheus. The award winning young Venezuelan flautist Joidy Blanco takes centre stage in two highly contrasting works for solo flute and orchestra, with the beguiling innocence of Mozart's exquisite Flute Concerto No 2, offset by the full-blooded swagger and bravado of Sarasate' s Zigeunerweisen. The evening concludes with Mendelssohn's much loved 'Italian' Symphony No 4.

Returning to the podium on 9 June, Maestro Boico ushers in his second programme with the quicksilver wit and dazzle of Berlioz's brilliant Beatrice and Benedict Overture, before being joined onstage by Leo Gevisser for a performance of Saint-Saens's exotic Piano Concerto No 5. Dubbed 'The Egyptian' Concerto as the composer penned it while on vacation in the ancient city of Luxor, the colourful work conjures up the sounds of night life on the banks of the Nile, as well suggesting sound effects reminiscent of travelogue climes further afield. The evening's programme concludes with Brahms' s richly textured Symphony No 3, admired by the composer's friend and confidant, the pianist Oara Schumann, for its heart­warming passages evoking the beauty of Nature.

There will be free Tea and Symphony concerts for the final rehearsal every Thursday morning at 10am in the Playhouse Opera.

The bars are no longer open at the Playhouse; however complimentary tea and coffee will be served prior to concerts and during interval.