Experience the magic of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival 2025

This year, the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) celebrates its 20th anniversary with an extraordinary blend of classical masterpieces and contemporary works, promising an unforgettable experience for music lovers. From 4 to 13 July, the festival will take place at the renowned Endler Hall, culminating in a grand finale on Sunday, 13 July, at 16:30.

The festivities will kick off with a special pre-concert by the SICMF Alumni Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, 3 July, featuring past participants who have graced the festival since its inception.

The SICMF Alumni Symphony Orchestra will perform Mahler’s monumental Fifth Symphony, alongside a new composition by Matthijs van Dijk and Gershwin’s Concerto in F. Conducted by the acclaimed young South African conductor, Jacobus de Jager, this concert promises to set the tone for a week filled with musical brilliance.

The faculty concerts will commence on Friday, 4 July, showcasing a reimagined Baroque experience. Max Richter’s innovative reworking of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons will feature the extraordinary violinist, Daniel Rowland, as soloist. This enchanting evening will culminate in a dazzling display of fashion and artistry, choreographed to the evocative music of Ravel’s Bolero, with dancers from the Figure of 8 Dance Theatre enhancing the performance.

For those who appreciate the classics, the festival will also feature works by Beethoven, Strauss, Shostakovich, Brahms, and Saint-Saëns. This year’s featured composer is the internationally acclaimed Boston-based jazz pianist, Kevin Harris, whose specially commissioned piece, “Light and Resonance  A contemporary symphonic reflection through the courageous lens of Steve Biko,” will receive its world premiere on Tuesday, 8 July. This innovative composition draws inspiration from the writings of anti-Apartheid activist Steven Biko, reflecting on societal progress through his powerful words.

Throughout the festival, the SICMF faculty will engage with over 300 student participants, offering public masterclasses and rehearsals. Daily student concerts will take place at 13:00 and 17:00, providing a platform for emerging talent to shine alongside their mentors.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the SICMF will also unveil a special artwork by renowned South African pointillist, Gavin Rain. This three-dimensional portrait of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, the beloved late patron of the SICMF, will be assembled outside the Konservatorium building, allowing patrons and the public to witness its creation.

Join us for this remarkable celebration of music and community at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival 2025, where the past meets the present in a symphony of sound and artistry.