MUSIC

PIANO RECITAL

Pietermaritzburg-born Christopher Duigan will perform a piano recital for the Friends of Music on April 15 at Durban Jewish Club, at 19h45. The recital will include works by Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms and Chopin.

In recent years Christopher has been the recipient of many of South Africa's most important awards and prizes. These include the 1994 UNISA performer's licentiate overseas scholarship, awards for the best South African pianist in the 1996 UNISA Transnet International piano competition and first prize in the Adolph Hallis Piano competition. The prestigious Joseph Lan award for excel-lence was awarded to him by the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra in 1995, the same year that he won first prize in the Concours Panafricain de Musique.

BRAZILIAN

He studied with Brazilian pianist, Arnaldo Cohen, at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in 1995/96, thanks to scholarships by UNISA and the University of Cape Town. He graduated with the MMus (Performance) degree cum laude from the University of Cape Town and was the soloist with the National Youth Orchestra during 1993. In recent years he has appeared in concertos in all major venues in South Africa.

Christopher recently returned home to Pietermaritzburg and plans to further his career in South Africa.

AFRICAN SANCTUS

David Fanshawe presents the Bach Choir of London conducted by Sir David Willcocks on April 5 at 19h30 at the Playhouse Drama.

DAA LUNCH-HOURS

Every Wednesday at 13h00, Durban Arts hold free lunch-hour concerts on the City Hall Steps to further new talent:

Apr 2: Sadlula - Maskanda singing group led by Patrick Mkhize backed by good Zulu dancers.

Apr 9: HOLY BROTHERS - an all male gospel group under L Maphumulo.

Apr 16: TUTU - no, not the bishop but a singing outfit led by lead singer Tutu!

Apr 23: TWELVE TEMPLES - an eight-voice male isicathamiya group.

Apr 30: SENZANI'S GROUP - An excellent group of Zulu singers and dancers. Mbaqanga is part of their programme. Don't miss this one!

For more details of City Hall Steps concerts, phone Patrick `Bigboy' Zungu on 23-1236.

MEN GO GERMAN

On its first tour of South Africa, a 33-strong German chamber choir called the Vokalensemble Stadthagen, will perform with the Durban Men's Choir in the Mariannhill Monastery Church in Pinetown on April 2 at 19h30.

The Vokalensemble was founded in 1975 in Stadthagen by church musician Gerald A Manig who formed it with members of his St Martini-Church choir.

Tickets at R15 (R10 for scholars and pensioners) will be available at the door or ring Charles Brown on 360-7404 (w) or 29-2573 (a/h).

STOP PRESS!

The accomplished choir of St Mary's DSG in Kloof needs funds to help them go to Russia to perform in St Petersburg, the Petergorf Palace and at a community camp. In England they hope to appear in Coventry Cathedral as well as in London at St James's, Piccadilly; the Royal Festival Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields. If you can help, phone 746-1337.

SPLASHY FEN MUSIC

Splashy Fen, South Africa's biggest annual folk music festival, celebrates its eighth birthday in May.

So no self-respecting musician or music-lover who has ever enjoyed the more gentle strands of top quality acoustic folk and folk-rock music should be anywhere other than at Splashy Fen. This is again being held on the beautiful Splashy Fen farm in the foothills of the Drakensburg near Underberg from May 1 to 4.

This year the line-up of musicians includes the popular international act that goes under the unlikely name of the Global Village Trucking Company with its unique blend of rock, calypso, jazz and reggae. Slider McGee returns by popular demand and there'll be a host of local musicians and speciality acts.

This year the organisers are working towards a "party train" that will take visitors to Underberg and home again. Book for the train through Robbie Lodder on 37-8039 or 083 655 9982.

For more information about Splashy Fen call Bart Fokkens on 23-9812.