World renowned pianist, Grethe Nöthling, will be the soloist with the Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO) in Saint-Saëns’ exciting Piano Concerto No. 2 at the next concert at the Odeion on Thursday 8 June at 19:30.
This musical prodigy started her musical career at age five. Then, two years later, she made her musical debut performing as soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. Since then, Nöthling has been a soloist with major orchestras in the country between 1989 and 2005, including the Cape Town Philharmonic and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic.
Between 2001 and 2004 she completed a Bachelor’s in Music (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria under Ella Fourie and Joseph Stanford. In 2006 she continued her studies abroad. She completed her Masters in Music at the Cleveland Institute of Music (2008) and Doctorate in Musical Arts (2014) at the University of Iowa in the United States.
This musical sensation has also won several national music competitions, awards and bursaries, including the Sanlam Music Competition (1994), Absa National Music Competition (1998), ATKV Prelude Competition (2000), Hennie Joubert National Piano Competition (2000), Lionel Bowman Beethoven Competition (2001) and UNISA overseas scholarship for Teachers (2003).
The FSSO will be conducted by Alexander Fokkens. Also on the programme will be The Unanswered Question (Ives) and the Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major (Mozart). Alexander Fokkens was appointed in 2011 as Artistic Director and CEO of the Free State Symphony Orchestra as well as Conductor of the Free State Youth Symphony Orchestra.
His vision and unwavering dedication to the delivery of memorable performances have seen Alexander become an acclaimed guest conductor, both here and in the USA.
Among others, he has conducted the Laiten Weed Honours Orchestra in South Dakota, the Grinnell Symphony Orchestra in Iowa, the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cape Town Opera, JMI Orchestra, the Black Tie Opera Company, Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, South African National Youth Concert Orchestra, Free State Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa.
He made his European debut in 2006, conducting Joplin’s Treemonisha in La Turbie, France.
Many soloists have enjoyed appearing with Alexander, and some of those who have played or sung under his baton include John Owings, Curt Thompson, Pretty Yende, Koos Kombuis, Tumi Molekane, Leslie Howard, Anmari van der Westhuizen and Samson Diamond, to name but a few.
Tickets for the concert are available at Computicket outlets (Checkers, Shoprite shops) or book online at www.computicket.com.
Admission: R150 (adults); Students, on presentation of valid card: R50; UFS Staff, on presentation of valid card: R100; Pensioners, on presentation of valid card: R100; Children (6 to 18 years): R50; Block bookings of 10 or more: R100.
This concert is made possible by grants from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and Standard Bank.
Statement issued by FSSO and compiled by Pulane Choane
