As the cold slowly blows over and the sun grows warmer, Joburg audiences can look forward to more than flowers blooming this Spring. Following their sold-out Winter Season, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) continues the tradition of the World Symphony Series with their upcoming Early Spring Season programme at the Linder Auditorium. This time, presenting a three-week season.
From 17 – 31 August, the JPO promises a captivating line-up of international conductors and soloists, welcoming back some familiar faces and introducing a few debut performers.
“The remarkable response to the recent JPO Seasons is testimony to the public’s strong appetite for symphony concerts,” says JPO CEO and artistic director Bongani Tembe. “We are encouraged and excited to continue to bring another season of beautiful music.”
The JPO’s Early Spring Season kicks off on Thursday, 17 August, with German-Dutch maestro Arjan Tien leading the JPO. His vast repertoire stretches from baroque, classical and romantic movements to conducting opera performances and music in contemporary pop culture. The soloist for this concert is acclaimed French violinist Fanny Clamagirand, considered a “violinist of great distinction”. On the programme for the evening is Mendelssohn’s Concerto for violin and Dvořák’s Symphony no. 7.
Week two of the season sees multi-award winning Russian pianist Evgeny Konnov performing with the JPO under the baton of Italian conductor Claudia Patanè, one of the most outstanding artistic personalities of our time. The programme of popular favourites selected for this concert includes Rachmaninoff’s Concert for Piano and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Pathetique.
The JPO will wrap up its Early Spring Season on Thursday, 31 August, under the baton of Daniel Boico. His return to the stage is always welcome by audiences. Young Japanese pianist Etsuko Hirose, whose exceptional virtuosity has been lauded internationally, will perform Schumann’s Concerto for piano in a minor and the season closes with Beethoven’s Symphony no. 2 in c major.
The JPO’s Pre-Concert Talks commence at 18:30 each evening, presented by Deano Maduramuthu, previously from the Morning Drive on Classic 1027. Entrance to the talks is free and all patrons are welcome to enjoy the experience.
Dinner is served in the restaurant adjacent to the Linder Auditorium from 17:00. Secure and convenient parking is available for all patrons.
The Early Spring Season runs from 17 – 31 August 2023 with concerts taking place every Thursday evening at 19:30 at the Linder Auditorium. Season tickets can be booked through the JPO office on info@jpo.co.za or by phoning 011 484 0446. Seats for single concerts are available through Quicket. Visit the JPO website for more information.
