Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra to host top international conductors

The 2020 summer season will host accomplished international conductors starting 12 February.

Tien will celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday with the composer’s Leonore Overture No 1, Opus 138 and the Triple Concerto, featuring pianist Malcolm Nay, violinist Tai Murray and cellist Aristide du Plessis. The two performances will close with Bizet’s Symphony in C.

“We are proud to showcase our 2020 World Symphony Series this summer season with a spectacular line-up of international talent and leading South African soloists, who will join us in taking the experience of concertgoing in the city of Johannesburg ever onwards and upwards,” JPO artistic director and CEO Bongani Tembe said.

“While we are deeply appreciative of the support that we enjoy from our family of regular concertgoers, we urge each of you to introduce the wonder of music to as many more members of your family, colleagues and peers as possible.”

The JPO’s summer season will launch with the Valentine’s Variety Gala programme from 12 to 14 February when American conductor William Eddins shares the spotlight with two guest soloists, guitarist Goran Krivokapiæ from Montenegro and young South African soprano Zandile Mzazi, who join the orchestra in performing a curated programme by Berlioz, Rodrigo, Mascagni, Massenet, Khachaturian, Verdi, Lehar and Tchaikovsky.

Japanese maestro Yasuo Shinozaki returns to the JPO stage on 19 and 20 February, putting his players through their paces in three concert staples of widely different character: Ravel’s hugely popular Bolero and his fiercely taxing Left Hand Piano Concerto, which will feature French pianist Maxime Zecchini. Shinozaki’s programme will conclude with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

The 2020 summer programme will then end with Israeli-American Daniel Boico conducting Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, featuring soloist Jan Jiracek von Arnim, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 4, from 4 to 7 March.

Tickets for the JPO’s summer programme can be purchased here.