Cape Town’s classical music calendar reaches a high point this week, as the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra prepares to bring its Autumn Symphony season to a close with a full-scale performance at City Hall.
The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will conclude its Autumn Symphony season with a major concert at Cape Town City Hall, bringing together international conducting talent and leading local musicians for an evening of orchestral performance.
The concert will be conducted by Dutch maestro Arjan Tien, a respected figure in the classical music world known for his work both on the podium and as a teacher of conducting. His interpretation of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 6 is expected to be a central highlight of the evening.
Joining him on stage is Peter Martens, the orchestra’s principal cellist, who will take on the demanding role of soloist in Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto in E-flat Major. The piece is widely regarded as one of the most technically challenging works in the cello repertoire, requiring both precision and expressive depth.
The programme also includes Debussy’s Prélude à l’Après-midi d’un faune, an atmospheric and influential composition that contrasts with the intensity of the Shostakovich concerto and the grandeur of Dvorak’s symphony.
In addition to the main performance, the concert serves as a curtain raiser for the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, reflecting the organisation’s ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of musicians.
The event is scheduled to take place on Thursday evening at Cape Town City Hall, with the performance running from 19:30 to 22:00. Ticket prices range from R190 to R450, depending on seating.
Tickets are available through official ticketing platforms associated with the orchestra, and organisers expect strong interest as the season draws to a close.
The venue is fully accessible, ensuring that a wide audience can attend the performance.
As the Autumn Symphony season concludes, the concert offers audiences an opportunity to experience a diverse programme of classical works performed by one of the country’s leading orchestras in a historic Cape Town setting.
Source: Whats On In Cape Town.