The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s first symphony season for 2010, from 10 February to 18 March, offers audiences a varied bouquet of music delights as well as exceptional local and international soloists.

Celebrating its 10th year of existence with a three-year, R36 million funding boost from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, the JPO is embarking on the first of its four annual seasons of symphony concerts with renewed vigour.

The concerts are held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Linder Auditorium in Parktown. Joburg music lovers will be captivated by top international conductors as they guide the accomplished musicians of the JPO as well as dynamic young soloists, fresh from the world’s premier stages.

Week one, on 10 and 11 February features the JPO under the baton of Gérard Korsten, with Pieter Schoeman (violin) and Anmari van der Westhuizen (cello) as soloists. The programme includes Weber’s Euryanthe: Overture, Brahms’s Concerto for Violin & Cello, Op 102, A minor, as well as Schumann’s Symphony No 3, Op 97, E-flat major (Rhenish).

Schoeman has performed as a soloist and recitalist throughout the world, and in 2008 was appointed leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, with which he has recorded numerous violin solos. Van der Westhuizen is known throughout the country for her acclaimed concerto performances, and has made regular appearances as soloist and chamber musician in Europe.

South African-born Korsten has held several prominent positions in orchestras both locally and abroad, and has appeared in Europe’s most notable concert halls and opera houses. He is currently music director designate of the London Mozart Players and principal conductor of the Symphonieorchester Vorarlberg Bregenz.

Korsten will also be conducting the concerts on 17 and 18 February, when the music menu includes Mozart’s Symphony No 35, K385, D major (Haffner), Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No 1, Op 107, and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No 1, Op 11, C minor.

The soloist for these two concerts is celebrated English cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, regarded as one of the most creative musicians of his generation. He has won numerous awards for his services to music, has collaborated with an array of musicians from Yehudi Menuhin and Lorin Maazel to Elton John, and was the London Underground’s first official busker. As leader of In Harmony, the British Government's new music programme, Lloyd Webber is working to promote development in some of England's most deprived areas, through orchestral-based learning and musical experiences.

Conducting the symphony concerts on 24 and 25 February and on 3 and 4 March is Bulgaria’s Emil Tabakov. Well known as a guest conductor throughout the world, Tabakov has an enormous repertoire, with proficiency in a variety of styles from classical and romantic to contemporary genres, and boasts a considerable body of recordings.

On 24 and 25 February, he will lead the JPO in a programme that features Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri: Overture, Bruch’s Concerto for Violin, No 1, Op 26, G minor, and Dvo?ák’s Symphony No 8, Op 88, G major. The soloist for those two concerts is Benjamin Schmid, who has been described as one of the most valuable “golden age” violinists in the world. Born in Vienna, it comes as no surprise that while Schmid regularly performs all the major works for violin and orchestra, Viennese masters – including Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Berg – are at the core of his broad repertoire.

Russian pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski will perform with the orchestra, under Tabakov’s baton, on 3 and 4 March. Audiences are in for a double dose of Mozart magic, with Don Giovanni, K527: Overture and Concerto for Piano, No 23, K488, A major on the line-up, in addition to Beethoven’s Symphony No 7, Op 92, A major.

Soukhovetski is rapidly earning a reputation as a “young pianist who captivates” with his “distinctive lyricism”, “immaculate technique” and “vigour… refinement… and drama”. This exciting musician makes a much-anticipated to SA after his Johannesburg debut recital was voted one of the top three most important cultural events of 2005-2007 by Die Burger.

Japan takes centre stage on 10 and 11 March, in a Japan and South Africa Centennial celebration concert, when Yasuo Shinozaki conducts pianist Noriko Ogawa and the JPO - in a programme that features Stephenson’s A Johannesburg Overture, Takemitsu’s Riverrun and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No 5, Op 64, E minor.

Shinozaki has acquired a reputation for his emotionally direct style of music making. Born in Japan, he spent three successful years as assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic before making his home in London. He has also scored notable success in his homeland. For her part, Ogawa has achieved renown during her appearances with all the major UK, European, Japanese and US orchestras, with her “ravishingly poetic playing” setting her apart from her contemporaries.

The final concerts of the season take place on 17 and 18 March, with Shinozaki once again at the helm. American pianist Bryan Wallick will be performing Mendelssohn’s Symphony No 3, Op 56, A minor (Scottish) and Brahms’s Concerto for Piano, No 2, Op 83, B-flat major.

Wallick has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. This progressive young musician was recently given a grant to explore synesthesia – the ability to experience two or more sensory experiences with one stimulus – in a multimedia project that allows the audience to see the colours he experiences in each musical pitch while performing.

Says JPO managing director Shadrack Bokaba: “The first season attempts to strike a balance, both in terms of repertoire and the choice of artists. For example, we move from the familiar when we open the season with the Brahms double concerto, to the completely unknown in week five when we perform Takamitsu's Riverrun concerto.

“The same applies with a choice that includes both local and international soloists – opening the season with locals Gérard Korsten, Pieter Schoeman and Anmari van der Westhuizen, and ending with first-timers in the country such as the brilliant Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawa.”

The JPO’s second symphony season runs from 5 May to 10 June, the third season from 28 July to 2 September, and the fourth season from 6 October to 11 November. Tickets are available at Computicket or at the door. For more information, call 011 789 2733, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.jpo.co.za.