Local teen prodigy launches new classical work

An innovative classical chamber music recital featuring works by acclaimed classical composer prodigy, Siphokuhle Sibisi, and performed by an ensemble of flute, French horn, piano and strings and voice, comes to St Thomas Church for one performance tomorrow, Sunday 1 February, at 2pm.

Entitled Debut, the concert will feature Robert De Vries on flute; Kamogelo Madonsela on French horn, David Smith on piano, Jitske Brien on violin, Catherine Alborough on viola, Sunday Kalechi on cello, and Jonalene Taylor on double bass accompanied by vocalists from Umlazi.

This concert is the brainchild of a new music collaboration, Black-Tie Tunes, whose mission it is to promote local classical musicians and composers. “We want to proudly bear the RSA flag on every production so that our audiences are uplifted by the example of what our country can accomplish,” says Julian Gaul. “With this concert, dubbed Debut, since it represents the official debut of Sibisi in Durban, it is part of a long-term plan of reshaping the classical music landscape. We seek to send a message, a message of hope and change for the future of classical music here in KZN,” says Gaul. 

Sibisi is a 19-year-old composer from Umlazi who has captured the attention of many. His piece for choir Khuzani has over twenty-thousand views on Youtube and has become a mainstay choral work among Zulu-speaking schools in the province. His music has been selected for the examination repertoire for the 2025 national choral championships. 

Canapes are included in the ticket price. Drinks will be on sale which can be ordered upon arrival.

“We look forward to sharing locally-grown South African Classical Music, ready to enrich soul, body and mind, coming to you from Umlazi's very own young talented composer,” says Gaul.

Tickets R180/ R150 pensioners/ R120 U12 from Quicket and at the door.

Also tomorrow, pianist Christopher Duigan will be joined by soprano Nozuko Teto and Maxine Matthews on saxophone in “Music for a Summer Afternoon”. Hosted by Friends of Music, it’s at the Durban Jewish Centre on Sunday 1 February at 3pm.

Teto will sing Italian operatic arias from La Bohème and La Wally, as well as classical and traditional songs and sacred music such as “The Holy City” and “Panis  Angelicus”. 

Teto was born in Bizana, Eastern Cape and obtained her Bachelor of Music from the University of KwaZulu Natal and received her post-graduate diploma in opera from the University of Cape Town. She was awarded a scholarship to study with soprano Mirella Freni and sang in concerts at the Teatro Comunale Pavarotti in Modena, in Amsterdam with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and with the Rotterdam Symphony. 

Maxine Matthews-Meyer presents a selection of Duigan’s own compositions including the popular ‘Bar Stool Tango' and ‘Himeville' from 'Four KZN  Landscapes’. Born in Mauritius, she studied in Durban before heading to Greece and France to complete a Diplome de Perfectionement with distinction in Besançon, France. Matthews-Meyer joined the teaching staff at The Wykeham Collegiate in Pietermaritzburg at the start of this year. 

Duigan will play a selection of music by Chopin and Liszt. 

Tickets R140 at the door. 

Duigan will also be performing in two solo concerts next week in a series titled The Most Popular Classics!

“Renowned for their brilliance, dramatic energy and unforgettable melodies, these enduring staples or ‘war-horses’ of the concert piano repertoire continue to deliver immense listening pleasure and sustained excitement. And with good reason,” he says.

The programme includes Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight’ Sonata and ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’, alongside Liszt’s dazzling ‘La campanella’ and the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, plus Debussy’s ‘Clair de lune’.

He will be at St Agnes Church, Kloof, on Tuesday Fenruary 3 at 7pm, and All Souls Church, Salt Rock, on Sunday February 8 at 3pm. Tickets: R150 include tea/coffee and other refreshments at interval on WhatsApp 083 417 4473 or booking@musicrevival.co.za