More than 100 young musicians will take to the stage when the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) and the University of Cape Town Symphony Orchestra (UCTSO) present New World, Young Voices at Cape Town City Hall on Tuesday, October 13.
The concert, conducted by Brandon Phillips, celebrates young musical talent and collaboration between the two orchestras. The programme features pianist Isaac van der Merwe as soloist in Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, alongside Dvořák's Symphony No. 9, From the New World.
Audiences will also hear the world premiere of Chaos in Disguise, Part 1 by South African composer Kyle Benade.
Phillips, who is the permanent conductor of the UCT Symphony Orchestra, the resident conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and a former music director of the CPYO, said the performance highlights the long-standing partnership between the ensembles.
"This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to developing the next generation of orchestral musicians. It allows young performers to build their skills and gain valuable orchestral experience," he said.
Phillips said he was pleased to welcome Van der Merwe, a UCT graduate and former member of both orchestras, back as soloist.
"Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto remains one of the most exciting and rewarding works in the piano repertoire for both audiences and performers," he said.
The concert will also introduce audiences to Benade's award-winning orchestral work, which won UCT's Jan Royce Prize for Orchestral Composition.
Phillips described the composition as "a bold and imaginative score" and said performances like these help support emerging South African composers.
The concert starts at 7.30pm.
Tickets are available through Webtickets or Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695.