The Stellenbosch University Konservatorium is proud to announce the much-anticipated start to the 2024 Endler Concert Series (Season 1), set to enchant audiences from this Friday, February 23rd, and runs until it concludes with the prestigious Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in mid July.
This season promises to be a musical odyssey, featuring a stellar lineup of local and international artists. Attendees can expect an extraordinary array of concerts, spanning diverse musical genres – from classical, choral, operatic and big band, to jazz and world music, as well as captivating ensembles, and groundbreaking collaborations. The Stellenbosch University Department of Music is excited to present a season of high-standard performances that showcase the richness and variety of the musical landscape of Stellenbosch and beyond.
The series opens on Friday 23 February with Intertwined: Dvořák and Brahms – a unique musical collaboration when South African virtuosos David Bester (violin), Aristide du Plessis (cello) and Nina Schumann (piano) appear together for the first time. On the programme are two iconic Dvořák and Brahms works, along with the world premiere of intertwined, a new composition by Stellenbosch composers Antoni Schonken and Arthur Feder.
In Jazz Chronicles of a German in Cape Town (Friday 1 March), German bassist Martin Zenker who frequently travels between Mongolia, Munich, Rio de Janeiro and Stellenbosch, collaborates with musicians from Germany and South Africa that are part of a new exciting exchange program between the SU Department of Music and the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich. The concert features the likes of local artists Ramon Alexander (piano), Sima Mashazi (vocals) and German pianist Andreas Kissenbeck.
This year, on Saturday 2 March, also features the first appearance of the Winelands Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Reghardt Kühn in the Endler Concert series with the WPO’s Summer Harvest Festival, celebrating the harvest season of the cape winelands.
Other firsts include the debut performance of the IMAI Trio (Friday 8 March) with clarinetist, Annelize de Villiers, conductor and bassoonist Brandon Phillips, and pianist José Dias, exploring the fascinating music written for this unique instrumental combination – from the grand scale of Beethoven to the Argentinian tango.
On Monday 11 March the The SU Voice Division and UCT Opera present their newest collaboration Canciones españolas, directed by Jeremy Silver, and on 15 and 16 March the Schola Cantorum choir and the Stellenbosch Camerata, conducted by Martin Berger, team up to perform the grand Mozart’s Requiem. On 27 March Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra (USSO) led by Liam Burden will showcase works by Dvořák and Hofmyer, while the Stellenbosch Youth Orchestra (SYO) opens the evening with a curtain-raiser item.
In April to June audiences can look forward to performances by the Tygerberg Children’s Choir (21 April, 7 June), the Stellenbosch University Choir (3 & 4 May) and Voces Cordis choir (24 May) as well as an 80th Birthday Celebration Concert in honour of conductor, Acáma Fick on 26 April. On 27 April a special Band Extravaganza Freedom Day Concert will be held.
Other artists to grace the Endler stage are the 2023 Unisa National Piano competition winners Gerhard Joubert (classical piano) and Brathew van Schalkwyk (jazz piano) in A Night at the Piano (10 May) and celebrated Megan-Geoffrey Prins (piano) and Karen Devroop (sax) in Duality: Jazz Saxophone & Classical Piano on 7 June. The legendary Zimbabwean singer and guitarist, Louis Mhlanga performs at the IAML Congress on 24 June with Schalk Joubert (bass), Kevin Gibson (drums) and Sima Mazhazi (vocals) in Africa, My Love – An evening with Louis Mhlanga & friends. Tickets for these concert open in March.
“This season is a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant and dynamic musical community,” says Vicky Davis, Artistic Manager of the SU Konservatorium. “We are thrilled to bring together local and international talents, presenting a well-balanced programme of works and genres – well known and new – creating an atmosphere that celebrates the talent and diversity of our music community.”
Music lovers are encouraged to secure their tickets early for what promises to be an unforgettable series of concerts. To book tickets please visit www.webtickets.co.za
For press inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Email: concerts@sun.ac.za
Tel: 021 808 2358
www. endler.sun.ac.za
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