MUSIC

MARCH SYMPHONIES

The March programme for the Natal Symphony Orchestra's 1997 World Symphony Series is said to offer an impressive line-up of local and inter-national performers.

Top of the list has to be mezzo-soprano, Sally Burgess. Born in Durban, she moved to Britain at the age of nine to become one of Britain's most popular performing artists in opera and on the concert platform.

She has an outstanding reputation as a fine dramatic mezzo-soprano with the versatility to sing music in diverse styles ranging from Purcell and Handel to Verdi and Wagner to Paul McCartney and Philip Glass.

She is soloist at the March 6 concert with NPO director Bongani Tembe.

The 21-year old Nigerian pianist, Sodi Braide, will play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 2 on March 13, while the concert on March 18 will showcase the talents of NPO wind players, David Lloyd (oboe), Ian Holloway (clarinet), Shannon LaBonte (horn) and the orchestra's manager and former principal bassoonist, Retha Cilliers.

Internationally-acclaimed Japanese flautist Shigenori Kudo's concert engagements have taken him to Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. He is soloist at the concert on March 25.

DURBAN MEN SING

The Durban Men's Choir share a concert with 35 students from the College of Horn Instruments from Osenbrck, Germany. With them will also be Alpine horn players from Switzerland.

The concert will be held in the Univer-sity of Durban-Westville's music school hall on March 24 at 19h30.

On April 3 at 19h30 at the Mariannhill Monastery, the Durban Men's Choir appear with a visiting German choir, the Vokalensemble Stadthagen. The com-bined group will perform a programme of classical and chamber music.

NEW STRINGS

The Durban City Orchestra has re-grouped after the festive season and is busy looking for new members, particu-larly string players.

Rehearsals are held every Tuesday at 19h00 at the Durban Music and Ballet School in William Hartley Road, Overport.

Potential new members are promised a warm welcome. They should just "turn up" with their instruments.

LANDSCAPE CD

Popular Durban instrumental ensemble, Landscape Prayers, has recently pro-duced a CD titled Bush Telegraph.

Take a healthy Irish folk feel on the fiddle, add an African fusion beat and a kwela style tinged with a touch of rock and you have the fascinating mix that gives Landscape Prayers its unique sound. The group believes in allowing each multi-faceted member to expand and cultivate his own style and ability so the result is on ongoing musical exploration.

The ensemble was originally formed in Durban in 1992 by guitarist/composer Nibs van der Spuy and is presently complemented by Anton Cawthorn-Blazeby (violin), Logal Byrne (bass guitar) and Bruce Baker (drums and percussion).

Bush Telegraph, produced by Gito Baloi, was released last month.

SUNSET MUSIC

Stimulating sounds will be the order of the day when the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra performs its NBS Sunset Proms concert at the Village Green on March 2. The 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky comes complete with cannon! Then there's Brahm's Academic Festival Overture culminating in the famous Gaudeamus Igitur which Brahms apparently described as "a very bois- terous pot-pourri of student songs".

MINI- MUSICALS

That doyenne of song, the Sugar Bush Girl, Eve Boswell, is hosting her annual concert at the BAT Hall on April 13 at 14h30. Guests include the Off-Beat Harmony group (a close harmony vocal group) and the Melvin Peters Trio with Miriam Erasmus as MC.

All proceeds from the concert will go to Durban Child Welfare.

NEAPOLITAN MUSIC

An evening of Italian street music performed by Hanli Stapela (soprano), Jannie Moolman (tenor) and Rouel Beukes (bass), accompanied by a chamber ensemble featuring Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Marian Lewin (cello), Louis FouchŠ (piano) and Etienne Malan (clarinet), will take place in the Playhouse Opera at 20h00 on March 1.

The songs have been specifically arranged to be accompanied by a small "Italian street ensemble" that, apart from accompanying the singers, performs instrumental renditions of a selection of well-known Italian melodies.

For tickets phone 083 229 4706.

NEW BANDS

Up and coming bands that are keen to get exposure are welcome to come along and participate at the BAT Festival, BAT Hall, from March 7 to 9.

For more information phone Ricky Moss on 32-8244 or 082 894 1860.

ORGAN RECITAL

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the organ recital to be held in the City Hall this month has had to be cancelled.