Daniel Boico brings the JPO Spring season to a close, performing a programme of American, Russian and Polish repertoire. The Overture to Leonard Bernstein’s 1956 operetta Candide sets the pace, an exhilarating concert opener featuring a medley of memorable tunes from the show, including the romantic duet ‘Oh, Happy We’ and the wild coloratura aria ‘Glitter and Be Gay’. The overture is characterised by Bernstein’s signature use of asymmetrical rhythms and a relentless, driving tempo, reflecting the operetta’s satirical yet optimistic spirit. It became an immediate hit and remains one of the most frequently performed American orchestral works, beloved for its sheer vitality and its perfect role as a concert curtain-raiser. The evening’s centre-piece is one of the concert circuit’s best-loved show-stoppers. Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a virtuosic set of 24 variations for piano and orchestra on a theme by Niccolò Paganini, blends dazzling technical skill with emotional depth and structural ingenuity. 

The piece progresses through three sections, featuring a famous lyrical variation (No. 18) derived from an inverted Paganini theme, the recurring, ominous Dies irae chant, and culminates in a lively finale with impressive piano cadenzas before a quiet restatement of the original theme. Composed as a “last major work” for piano and orchestra, it showcases Rachmaninoff’s late compositional style and his ability to create a rich tapestry from a simple melodic idea. Our soloist, Russian virtuoso Fodor Orlov, is renowned for his performances of this warhorse.

Górecki’s Symphony No. 3, “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs” brings the evening to a close. Composed in 1976, the poignant work’s three slow movements feature Polish lamentations on the themes of maternal grief, loss, and separation caused by war. The symphony’s unexpectedly simple, melodic, and consonant musical style, a departure from Górecki’s earlier modernist works, contributed to its unique emotional impact and crossover success.

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.

The Spring Season is not to be missed!