When people on earth was asked to send to those in space the biggest contribution to civilisation thus far, they sent Bach’s music. Yes, the Johann Sebastian Bach who is still considered a genius in many respects. The music he wrote with a feather dipped in ink, by the light of a candle and only a small harpsichord at his disposal, is about 300 years after his death still the basis for classical music.
Multiply the privilege to hear and play his music by 1 000 or more and you will have an idea of the stimulation, exposure and thrill it is to participate in the 12th Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium.
For five whole days you indulge in lectures, masterclasses, concerts by students as well as faculty members. The faculty members are the cream of the crop, almost all of them piano lecturers at South African universities, as well as the amazing Antonio Pompa-Baldi from the USA and probably the brightest star in the firmament of young concert pianists today – Emanuil Ivanov, a 24 year old Bulgarian. His performance on the first night of the Symposium in the Endler Hall at the Stellenbosch University Concervatorium had us speechless.
Words fail me to explain the experience, but here is how faculty member Dr Anneke Lamont of the Odeion School of Music at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein described it afterwards: “Emanuil Ivanov brought the Yamaha grand piano into a different sphere. This most gifted and genius pianist played the scores by Rameau, Debussy and Liszt as if he composed them himself. It was a performance on a total different level – an experience for the audience where words fail. Chopin incarnate. We are all reminded that we are dealing with the most wonderful art in the world. I would have wanted you all there!!!”
And this was only day one which started with a joyous gathering of old and new friends from across South Africa at registration, an inspiring lecture by Prof. Thinus Botha of the North-West University, an array of masterclasses from 14:00 to 18:00, the narrative gallery presented by music education specialist Ronella van Rensburg, and not to mention the tasty Lebanese food for lunch and supper. Not only the soul is fed at this meticulously well organised Symposium, but also the body.
The final of the bi-annual Hennie Joubert piano competition for the youth, which forms part of the Symposium, will take place tonight, 31 March, in the Endler. These youngsters will perform concertos with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of the well-known international conductor Bernhard Gueller. The finalists are Vivianna Pearson, Mikhaila Porter, Isaac van der Merwe, Qden Blaau and Dané van Graan.
To give a taste of what to expect the remainder of the week: All faculty members will perform as soloists on 1 April and the will also conclude the event on a fun note on 3 April, playing in various combinations of up to ten musicians at one piano. On 2 April the prize-winning Pompa-Baldi will exhibit his pianistic skills with music by Bach, Piana, Liszt and Ferguson.
All evening concerts are open to the public and start at 20:00. If at all possible, come and listen. You won’t regret it.
The faculty members who give their time and knowledge to big-eyed students are Nina Schumann, the Symposium artistic director, Pieter Grobler, Luis Magalhães (all at SU), Thinus Botha (NWU), Erika Bothma (NMU), Francois du Toit and Esthea Kruger (UCT), Catherine Foxcroft (Rhodes), Malcolm Nay (Wits), Ben Schoeman, Megan-Geoffrey Prins and Tessa Rhoodie (UP). And of course Antonio Pompa-Baldi and Emanuil Ivanov.
To experience their input, whether it be technical advice or how to approach the composer, style or period, you leave a much wiser and richer musician. One might think it is a daunting task to exhibit your meagre skills in front of a master. Not at all, they are experienced and sensitive people who know exactly how to urge students to be their best selves.
– By Elretha Britz, who for the first time has the opportunity to attend this exceptional Symposium.