Show LineupPresenters

In Friday night's Classic SA (20h00 CAT) I will be joined at the top of the programme by conductor and music lecturer Mokale Koapeng to discuss the upcoming performance of Prof. Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph's Youth Oratorio. The University of Johannesburg-commissioned choral show-piece will be performed on Thursday 22 April at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg by the University of Johannesburg Choir and members of the Meadowlands Zone 3 SDA Choir joined by an instrumental ensemble conducted by Koapeng. 

In our interview, Koapeng will unpack the work in some detail and give all the performance details. Tickets are at www.strictlytickets.com or the door. The performance will start at 19h30 and will last for an hour.

Tune into Classic fm 102.7 or catch us on our webstream on www.classic.co.za

John Simon is one of South Africa's most celebrated classical composers whose work has been performed extensively both at home and in the UK. He is also a respected educator and academic who has made it his priority to help composers from a choral background with skills in orchestration and instrumental composition techniques.

In our chat tonight, I will be asking Simon about his career as composer in the UK and his struggle for recognition by the previous political regime in South Africa. We will also be listening to some of his well-known and other lesser-known music.

The interview will be broadcast from 20h00 (CAT) on Classic fm 102.7

The first decade of the 21st century has almost elapsed. As I reflect on it I am overcome with awe and astonishment of how quickly ten years can fly by. I remember counting in the new millenium with close friends and family at the V&A Waterfront - Cape Town as if it happened just the other day. The last year has been especially eventful for me and I cannot wait to pick up from where I left off in the new year.

Of course everyone is talking about  ther promise of entertainment opportunities for the "World Cup" year. We all look forward to those, if they ever come! However, what really excites me as a freelance artist is the fact that the recession is coming to an end. While I have been blessed with growth in 2009, I am saddened that most of our sector has suffered the effects of the world-wide economic down-turn. All indications, though, point to an improvement in the situation. So, let's start doing some amazing things again.

I wish every creative soul in South Africa much inspiration and a renewed commitment to your work. Let your canvas, pen, bow, reed, step, humour, lens and every creative thought translate to greater heights of achievement, recognition and income.

To the consumers of the arts, thank you for your unrelenting support of us. You challenge all of us to constantly raise our game.

Be blessed and all the best for 2010.

Kutlwano.

I am delighted to announce that I will be chatting to soprano June Kraus in Thursday night's Classic SA (20h00 CAT). The reason for her visit to our studios will be to talk about her upcoming show "When Stars Collide" in which she will be joined by tenor Lucky Sibande (of AfroTenors fame) and the Springs Gospel Choir. The show itself is a one-off at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, Sandton and it will happen on 6 December at 19h30. A ticket will cost you R135 and you can get one at the door.  It sounds all delicious with a varied programme of the their personal favourites.

We will also be chatting about June's other current and future activities and playing some tracks from her last album, Diva in Africa. For more info on this weekend's concert you can visit June's website www.divainafrica.co.za

Zanta Hofmeyr is one of South Africa's finest musicians and she will be my guest in Thursday night's Classic SA (20h00 CAT), talking about her new violin and organ CD called Cantilena. It is a lovely collection; from three rarely-performed violin pieces by Josef Rheinberger  to arrangements of more popular tunes like Pavane Op.50 and Apres un reve (both by Gabriel Faure). During our chat we will listen to, amongst others, Cantilena by Rheinberger and also talk about the essence of Hofmeyr's choice of music in putting together the CD. She is also delighted to be able to dedicate the CD to her colleague and friend Wim Viljoen, with whom she also recorded her debut solo CD, Arioso, some ten years ago.

The CD will be launched this coming Sunday 22 November at the Universiteitsoord Dutch Reformed Church in the Hatfield area of Pretoria. This 50-minute concert will start at 4pm and entrance is free. Naturally copies of the CD will be on sale.

Don't miss the interview tomorrow at 20h00 only on Classic fm.