From a specially assembled chamber orchestra and an ever-popular choir, to quartets, trios, duos and many more musical surprises.
All of this and more await enthusiasts of classical music, art, food and wine at the 15th Klein Karoo Klassique, presented in Oudtshoorn from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August 2024.
This winter festival is presented by the KKNK, made possible by the Rupert Music Foundation and the ATKV, with the support of Le Lude and the Oudtshoorn Municipality.
Steinway pianist Charl du Plessis is the host at Klassique this year and engages in conversation with artists following selected recitals. This not only provides the perfect opportunity to learn more about the music performed on stage, but to also participate in discussions with a variety of South Africa’s foremost classical musicians.
The music programme starts on Friday (9 August) 09:30 with Music from the Silk Road for Cello and Piano. Berthine van Schoor (cello) and Megan-Geoffrey Prins (piano) take the audience on an exotic and imaginary journey through several countries of the Ancient Silk Road. A free music discussion with artists follows the recital.
Ensemble Masana – Mareli Stolp (piano), Rikus Coetsee (saxophone) and Handri Loots (flute) – present a varied programme of music by international and South African composers, showcasing the wide range of possibilities for all three instruments in duo and trio format on Friday 13:00, followed by a free music discussion with the artists.
Magdalene Minnaar (violin), Rosamund Ender (cello) and Esthea Kruger (piano) present the first Little Maestros: Classical Concerts for Families Friday at 15:30. This range of free concerts, aimed specifically at younger listeners, offers a relaxed environment where little ears learn through the works of Mozart, Bach and other well-known classical music. It is an immersive recital and includes a lot of interaction, explanations and movement.
Minnaar and Kruger, two of South Africa’s top classical artists, concludes Friday’s music programme at 19:00 with The Prayer. Their programme includes an extraordinary collection with Ravel’s “Kaddisch” and Schubert’s “Ave Maria”, and features works by Bach, Fauré, Messiaen and Britten amongst others.
The Odeion String Quartet – Samantha Durrant (violin), Sharon de Kock (violin), Jeanne Louise Moolman (viola) and Anmari van der Westhuizen (cello) – takes the audience on a musical journey on Saturday (10 August) 09:30 that explores various dimensions of democracy, cultural society and musical heritage. Diverse music including “Komeng” by Mokale Koapeng, “Song of the African Spirits” by Stefans Grové and “String Quartet Op. 76 No. 3”, commonly known as the “Emperor Quartet” by Joseph Haydn are included, followed by a free conversation with the artists.
In Sometimes it takes two on Saturday 13:00 four pianists share the stage. Nina Schumann, Esthea Kruger, Megan-Geoffrey Prins and Du Plessis unleash 40 fingers on two grand pianos for a very special recital of piano mastery. The recital is followed by a free music discussion with the artists.
The second Little Maestros: Classical Concerts for Families is presented on Saturday at 15:30 in the Banqueting Hall.
Saturday at 16:30 the programme moves to the NGK Park for Triumph of Sound, with Lynelle Kenned (soprano), Stefan Lombard (pipe organ) and Paul Loeb van Zuilenburg (trumpet). They present a programme spanning centuries. Music from Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart and Puccini is included. It is a captivating exploration of the power and nuance of this unique ensemble, followed by a free music discussion with the artists.
The Klein Karoo Klassique Gala Concert concludes the music programme on Saturday at 19:00. On stage are the Cape Town Festival Chamber Orchestra, specially assembled for Klassique by the well-known and celebrated musician and conductor Richard Cock, with the outstanding violinist Samson Diamond as special guest artist. Mozart’s beautiful “Violin Concerto No. 4”, favourite lighter classics by Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss, Fritz Kreisler, a tribute to George Gershwin in celebration of 100 years since “Rhapsody in Blue” was written and a tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven, who wrote his “Symphony No. 9” 200 years ago, are included on the programme.
Sunday (11 August) 09:30 the Cape Town Baroque Trio – Annien Shaw (baroque violin), Ralitza Macheva (baroque violin) and Rosamund Ender (viola da gamba) – is on stage for Narratives. They explore various methods of instrumental narration from the baroque era. Music by Corelli, Biber, Telemann, and Vivaldi is performed, as well as an innovative new composition for baroque instruments by Antoni Schonken. The recital is followed by a free music discussion with the artists. Macheva returns to Oudtshoorn after she (along with Erik Dippenaar) won the kykNET Fiësta for Best Performance in Classical Music for Variations, on stage at Klassique last year.
The ever-popular South Cape Children’s Choir, directed by Jan-Erik Swart, joins forces with guest artist, Joshua na die Reën for the first time in Lig op die horison, on Sunday at 13:00. Klassique audiences are familiar with the South Cape Children’s Choir, who have already performed in sold out concerts at the festival. Joshua na die Reën is at Klassique for the first time and this performance promises to be a festival highlight.
The last opportunity for young listeners to experience Little Maestros: Classical Concerts for Families is presented on Sunday at 14:30 in the Banqueting Hall.
Sunday afternoon at 16:00 the music programme concludes when Peter Martens (cello) and the Charl du Plessis Trio – Du Plessis (piano), Werner Spies (bass) and Peter Auret (drums) – share the stage for Bach, Brahms & Bolling. Claude Bolling’s “Suite for Cello and Jazz Trio” combine styles like swing and blues. The “Cello Sonata in E minor” by Brahms and Bach’s “Solo Suite for Cello No. 2” with a twist are included. This work will be transformed with the addition of a jazz soundscape by the trio.
A limited number of Klassique packages are available, which provides an opportunity for festivalgoers to see all ten recitals at a saving of 25%.
The KKNK’s multi-award-winning Karoo Kaarte team presents a walkabout at Klassique for the first time, sharing information on this groundbreaking multidisciplinary arts programme, presented in Oudtshoorn since 2021. Artworks from their latest exhibition, Argief, that opened at the KKNK in 2024, are included, as well as their interactive Karoo Kaarte app.
Roydin Engelbrecht from RJ Tours presents a Historiese wandeltoer daily at 08:00, which visits important architectural buildings in Oudtshoorn. One example is the Dutch Reformed Moederkerk, where construction began in 1860 and concluded in 1879.
De Rustica Olive Estate provides an opportunity to taste their world-renowned olive oil in Olyf tot olyfolie and experience a tour of their olive estate.
The centre of Klein Karoo Klassique is the Oudtshoorn Civic Centre and Banqueting Hall, where festivalgoers and artists can take time to relax. Delicious food is served here by Nostalgie Restaurant, whilst wine, coffee and other delicacies are also available. Books, classical music CDs and DVDs are on sale.
Aloe Manor, De Zeekoe, Kleinplaas Holiday Resort, Queen’s Hotel by BON Hotels, Ravenscliff Manor, Rosenhof Country House and Turnberry Boutique Hotel are Klassique’s accommodation sponsors. Other accommodation options are available online through the festival’s accommodation partner, LekkeSlaap.
Tickets are available at Webtickets, Pick n Pay or the KKNK office. Available tickets are also on sale at the door before the start of recitals. For more information, visit klassique.co.za or contact the KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za, phone 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
