Principal viola of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), Petrus Coetzee, from Claremont, is set to take the spotlight as the soloist in the third concert of the CPO’s Autumn Symphonies series at the City Hall on Thursday, April 16.
Mr Coetzee has been the orchestra's principal viola since 2018 and is set to perform Bela Bartok's challenging and dramatic Viola Concerto.
He described the work as a "great opportunity" and one he loves.
"It is more technical than the Walton Viola Concerto, much more exciting in my view, and it has lots of drama, energy, and rhythm, especially in the first movement," he said.
The programme will open with a curtain raiser, “River of Life” by Steven Reineke, performed by the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble.
The concert concludes with Mendelssohn’s epic symphony-cantata, “Lobgesang,” featuring sopranos Nobulumko Mngxekeza and Siphamandla Moyake and tenor Thando Mjandana, alongside the AfriArts Chorus and VOX Cape Town.
British conductor Nicholas Chalmers will be on the podium.
Born in Wellington, Mr Coetzee holds a Master of Music (MMus) from the University of Stellenbosch, where he now teaches, as well as at UCT.
His impressive musical background includes a second Master’s degree in Viola and String Quartet from Germany, where he also began his outreach concerts.
The concert takes place at 7.30pm, preceded by talks at 6.45pm featuring Mr Chalmers and Cape Town-based musician, choir conductor, and radio presenter John Woodland.
Tickets are available at Webtickets and through Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695. The dress rehearsal for the Bartok and “Lobgesang” is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, at 7.30pm, with tickets available on the Quicket platform.
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