KZN Philharmonic Orchestra World Symphony Series Early Spring Season Concert 2

ABOUT

7PM THURSDAY 31 AUGUST 2023

Programme:

ROSSINI William Tell Overture

RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 in d minor

SCHUBERT Symphony No. 3, D. 200 in D Major

The Italian conductor Claudia Patanè makes her eagerly anticipated local debut as she takes the podium for the season’s second concert. The swiftly rising young star, who has already won renown in many of the world’s leading concert halls and opera houses, opens her programme with one of the most splendid of all curtain-raisers - Rossini’s William Tell Overture.

Over its span of approximately 12 minutes, this beloved overture, which has long been a stand-alone concert favourite, paints a musical picture of life in the Swiss Alps, setting the scene for the magnum opus that marked the last of its composer’s operatic output in 1829.

Berlioz described it as “a symphony in four parts”. Each elides seamlessly from one to another in a natural

progression. That said, each section is clearly delineated as it describes a specific scene and mood. The opening Prelude, titled ‘Dawn’ is succeeded by the famous ‘Storm’ interlude. This, in turn, gives way to the idyllic calm that follows in its wake, punctuated by the enchanting dialogue between the English horn (cor anglais) and the flute, culminating in a duet with the triangle accompanying them in the background and then it all stops out as Rossini brings out the big guns in the ‘March of the Swiss Soldiers, with its renowned ultra-dynamic galop heralded by trumpets and played by the full orchestra in blazing wow-factor mode.

Before intermission, Russian virtuoso Evgeny Konnov, winner of a string of major international competitions, unleashes his legendary arsenal of powerhouse pianism on one of the repertoire’s most technically

daunting piano concertos, Rachmaninoff’s formidable ‘Third’.

Schubert’s lovely four-movement Symphony No. 3, written when he was just short of his 18th birthday, offers a perfect opportunity for the audience to savour its wonderful wealth of melodies as it gracefully brings the programme to a close.

Please note that this performance will be filmed. By entering the event, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur.

DIRECTIONS