The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s Spring Symphony Season runs from 30 October to 20 November at the Linder Auditorium. The Season opens with the highly-anticipated Spring Gala Concert, jointly performed by two of South Africa’s leading orchestras the Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestras.

Grammy Award-winning conductor Michael Repper takes the JPO podium to open our Spring Season, with a bouquet of classical masterworks from France, Finland and Russia. Curtain up on Ravel’s Boléro. Famed for its continuous, slow crescendo and sustained snare drum rhythm, this iconic piece began life as a ballet. The one- movement showstopper has long been one of the concert repertoire’s most popular staples. Its single main theme, played in variations with increasing volume and instrumental colour, builds to a thrilling climax through a masterful tour of the orchestra.

Ironically, Ravel never anticipated its mass appeal, and called it a ‘study in orchestration’ and a ‘virtuosic exercise’. Famed for his ‘flawless playing’ (Gramophone Magazine), British/German violinist Jack Liebeck takes centre stage to essay the formidable challenges of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto, known for its haunting d minor first movement featuring an unusually prominent, development-replacing first-movement cadenza, a deeply expressive and lyrical Adagio di molto second movement, and a driving, folk-influenced, and rhythmically exciting third movement, deliciously likened to a ‘polonaise for polar bears’! The famous work explores themes of Finnish identity and natural landscapes, contrasting intimate solo passages with orchestral climaxes.

Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a significant work from the Soviet era, is often interpreted as a struggle against oppression, with a finale that has been described as ‘forced rejoicing’. Some music commentators highlight its contrasting themes, starting with the oppressive ‘jackboot march’ and concluding with a ‘forced’ yet triumphant, albeit unsettling, finale. The first movement features a hesitant, jagged opening theme contrasted with a lyrical, but melancholy, second theme, while the second and third movements offer more lively and atmospheric textures, respectively. Interpretations have varied; some highlight the work’s portrayal of overwhelming totalitarian oppression. Conversely, the symphony is often described as moving from darkness to light, or from an unsettled state to an affirmative one.

Our popular Pre-Concert Talks will commence at 6.30 pm and are presented by Deano, previously from the Morning Drive on Classic 1027. Entrance to the talks is free and all patrons are welcome!

Bookings for Season Tickets are available through the JPO office on info@jpo.co.za or 011 484 0446. Season Ticket holders (i.e., tickets for all four concerts) enjoy discounted rates, the convenience of booking through the JPO office and a free programme at each concert. Single concert tickets are now available through Quicket.

Safe parking at the venue.

No Under-3’s allowed.

This Spring Season Gala Concert is not to be missed!