3rd Cape Town International Summer Music Festival Concert 1

Thursday 20 November

FESTIVAL CONCERT No. 1

S. Grove - “Raka”
Lalo  - Cello concerto in D minor
Beethoven  - Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67  (with the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra) 

           Arjan Tien                                        Gary Hoffman                             Tinus Botha

Appointed principal conductor and artistic leader of the Magogo Chamber Orchestra Holland in 2006, ARJAN TIEN is internationally in demand as a guest-conductor, conducting well over 45 programs a year.  Since 1998 he has had ongoing invitations as guest conductor with all the major South African orchestras. In 2001 he made a successful debut in the summer season of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.  In October 2005 he released a highly acclaimed CD with the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa of the Alto Rhapsody by Brahms and other works, featuring Sibongile Khumalo as soloist. He has conducted numerous television and radio recordings and world premières.

GARY HOFFMAN is one of the outstanding cellists of our time, combining instrumental mastery, great beauty of sound, and a poetic sensibility in his distinctive and memorable performances. Mr. Hoffman gained international renown with his victory as the first North American to win the Rostropovich International Competition in Paris in 1986. Mr. Hoffman collaborates regularly with such celebrated conductors as André Prévin, Charles Dutoit, Pinchas Zuckerman, Andrew Davis, Herbert Blomstedt, Kent Nagano, Jésus Lopez-Cobos and James Levine.

TINUS BOTHA has received many scholarships and prizes during his studies in South Africa. He obtained a performer’s licentiate from Trinity College in London, as well as performer’s and teacher’s licentiates from UNISA, all with distinction. Tinus has participated in master classes with renowned teachers such as Andzrej Jasinski, Maria Gineva, Gustavo Romero and Martino Tirimo. On his return to South Africa in 2003 he was appointed official accompanist at the University of Pretoria. He gave the world premières of several new South African compositions, including Alexander Johnson’s Incantation for Solo Piano, a piece dedicated to him.