BLOEMFONTEIN: The sound of the violin and pipe organ has fascinated audiences for centuries, and with good reason. The organ, often described as a symphony orchestra in itself, offers a vast range of tonal colours and textures through its various registrations − capable of mimicking orchestral instruments or supporting the violin with rich, sustained harmonies.
This pairing enables expressive freedom and sonorities that surpass what is possible with piano accompaniment.
Renowned South African violinist Zanta Hofmeyr and celebrated organist Cameron Upchurch will collaborate in a concert that showcases their unique partnership.
The programme, Reflections, on Saturday, 25 October, will feature a thoughtfully curated selection of well-loved classics and exciting contemporary works.
Audiences can look forward to Satie’s evocative Gymnopédie, Vivaldi’s sparkling Concerto in D major, and the Adagio from Brahms’ Violin Concerto. Alongside these classics will be fresh discoveries such as the lyrical Romance for violin and organ by Swedish composer Otto Olsson and the atmospheric Gothic Hymn by young American composer
Daniel Ficarri.
Hofmeyr graduated from the Juilliard School of Music (New York), where she studied under Dorothy Delay and Hyo Kang.
Following her acclaimed New York debut at the Carnegie Recital Hall, she returned to South Africa.
She is a regular soloist with major orchestras and has received numerous accolades, including the Woman of the Year award (1999) and several Fiësta prizes, and has served as an adjudicator at international and local competitions. Currently based in Johannesburg, she teaches violin privately and at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Upchurch holds BMus and MMus degrees from the former University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville, where he studied with Errol Slatter and Kobus du Plooy. His academic focus on the music reforms of the Second Vatican Council reflects a lifelong dedication to liturgical music.
He has served as organist at the Emmanuel Cathedral and Holy Trinity, Musgrave Road, and is the head of Chapel Music at St John’s College, Johannesburg, as well as the director of music at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Braamfontein.
Tickets for Reflections, to start at 19:00 in the Odeion on the main campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), cost R100, or R50 for pensioners, students and learners. These are sold at the door (card only) or on quicket.co.za.
