Event |September 2010

On 25 September 2010, the young MIAGI Youth Orchestra Miagicians will be performing at the Cape Town City Hall together with conductor Ingo Metzmacher, one of today’s most sought-after conductors

Programme: the MIAGI-commissioned South African piece by Steve Dyer called ‘Rebirth' - ‘an African concerto for soprano saxophone and full orchestra, including marimba, added saxophone section and African percussion', Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, Alexander Mosolov's Zavod, also known as ‘Machine Music' and one of the most beautiful romantic miniatures ever written Franz Schmidt's famous Entr'acte.

"When the audience begins to dance in a packed hall one thinks one MUST be dreaming!: The MiagiYouth Orchestra sings, swings, dances and brought, not only with Dvorak's famous symphony, ‘New Worlds' to the Berlin." Der Tagesspiegel

"For this event, the Berlin Konzerthaus hall seating 1 700 could easily have been sold out twice, such was the demand for tickets." Ulrich Deppendorf - director of the ARD television station.

"Congrats to all members of the Orchestra for the Berlin concert! It was one of the best performances I have ever experienced in my life! If I ever needed inspiration for my work I got it from the first to the last minute of your concert!" Blasko Smilevski - Secretary General of Jeunesses Musicales International

MIAGI 'composer in residence' 2010, Steve Dyer

Hailing from Pietermaritzburg, Dyer’s influences range from Mahler, Brahms and Mozart to Soul Brothers, Hugh Masekela and Jonas Gwangwa. Leaving South Africa behind for Botswana in 1981, he met Gwangwa and became a member of his band Shakawe. During this time he studied and mastered marabi/mbaqanga music traditions.  In 1988, he moved on to Zimbabwe and formed a new band called Southern Freeway. Dyer is a strong believer that the southern African region, with its vibrant and varied musical heritage, has enormous potential to revitalize contemporary music.

Festival 2009|and other highlights

MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Youth Big Band 2009 Highlights

MIAGI YOUTH ORCHESTRA AND YOUTH BIG BAND 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3 
Gideon Nxumalo: Jazz Fantasia
Antonin Dvořák: Symphony ‘From the New World’

Apart from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 and the monumentalSymphony ‘ From the New World’, by Antonin Dvořák. MYO and MYBB will be sharing a common repertoire piece in 2009: MYO featuring the MYBB as soloist, will together be performing Jazz Fantasia by the late South African composer, Gideon Nxumalo. This work will be performed in the form of a MIAGI commissioned arrangement for Symphony Orchestra and Big Band, by leading South African pianist and arranger, Denzil Weale.

About the conductor:

Marino Formenti - pianist/conductor – Orchestra Course HeronBridge College and Concert, Linder Auditorium
"…a Glenn Gould for the 21st century, a visionary for whom the usual limitations of either technique or tradition are not an issue." - Los Angeles Times. read more about Formenti at our Artists page and at www.marinoformenti.com

Abouth Jazz Fanatsia:

Gideon Nxumalo – composer of Jazz Fantasia
Gideon Nxumalo is perhaps one of South Africa ’s greatest unsung musical and cultural heroes. A man whose influence is felt today by the living and is still to be felt by generations to come, through the discovery of a collection of his manuscripts and unpublished works.

Born in Kimberly, South Africa in1929 Gideon Nxumalo was a gifted musician, composer, writer, actor and artist - a multi-talented master way ahead of his time. Gideon wrote orchestral works, plays, musicals, symphonies, overtures, jingles and musical themes - one of his most celebrated works being Jazz Fantasia (1962). He was able to embrace a full range of composition and craftsmanship across several genres of music from swing and big band tradition to African indigenous music. While Mozart was an essential inspiration to him, as seen in his string quartet writing and his works for chamber orchestra, he also had a strong identity in African choral singing and an uncanny foresight in preempting an age where the orchestral platform would be married to the art forms of his people and people of the African diaspora.

Gideon Nxumalo or “Mgibe”, as his admirers called him, passed away aged 40 on the 24th of December 1970 but his works remain - a testimony to his legacy - a blue print of his musical aspirations.

MIAGI YO & BB at young.euro.classic in Berlin on 14 August 2009.
We are extremely honoured to have been given this opportunity to perform at this illustrious international youth orchestra festival which sees the best youth orchestras from around the world performing annually to capacity audiences over a three week period. We have been given a very prominent Friday night slot at this festival which celebrates its 10th year of existence in 2009 (more information about young.euro.classic at www.young-euro-classic.de). y.

Upon our return to South Africa the MIAGI YO & BB will be hosting the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Big Band of Germany during their tour of South Africa between 27 August and 10 September. The tour will include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, then move via Sterkspruit (a rural community on the route to the Eastern Cape) to Port Elizabeth ending in Cape Town.

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Festival 2009 |Dedicated to Haydn - D2H - Haydn Trio Eisenstadt and South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen

Thank You to the Embassy of Austria!

‘my language is understood throughout the world’ (Joseph Haydn, 1732 - 1809)

Concerts in Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein:

Haydn Trio Eisenstadt, comprising Harald Kosik (piano), Verena Stourzh (violin) and Hannes Gradwohl (cello) will perform the Haydn commemorative concerts on 7 May in Cape Town at the Baxter Concert Hall (20h15),  10 May in Pretoria at the UNISA Conference Centre, Sunnyside (16h00) and 13 May in Bloemfontein, Odeon Auditorium (19h30) More about the artists at our 'Artists' page.

Tickets available soon at Computicket (Cape Town and Bloemfontein), and one hour before the event at the venue (UNISA Conference Centre)

Programme:

Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio Eb major, Hob.XV/29
Bongani Ndodana-Breen (Piano Trio 2009, Dedicated to Haydn): ‘Two Nguni Dances’
Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio C major, Hob.XV/27
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Franz Schubert: Piano Trio Eb major, Op 100

About D2H:

Haydn Trio Eisenstadt ranks as one of Austria’s leading small ensembles. The trio, which will perform for the first time in South Africa, is engaged in a project named D2H, short for DedicatedToHaydn. The project commemorates Joseph Haydn, who deceased in 1809, exactly 200 years ago this year, and it has an illustrious history. 100-years ago a similar initiative launched by a French music journal, commissioned six leading French composers of the day – Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Paul Dukas, Reynaldo Hahn, Vincent d’Indy and Charles Widor - to each write a short piece for piano inspired by Haydn, 'Hommage à Joseph Haydn'. The D2H project is the brainchild of Harald Kosik, the trio’s pianist, and Dr Walter Reicher, director of the Haydn Festival Eisenstadt. Haydn lived in Eisenstadt, where he worked as court composer in the court of Prince Esterhazy. For the Haydn Bicententary 2009, D2H has commissioned six Austrian composers, six composers from across the rest of Europe and six composers from other continents to contribute brand new pieces for piano trio. One of the composers picked to contribute, is South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen (34). Ndodana-Breen, based in Canada (where he also works as a conductor) is one of South Africa’s leading young composers (read more about the composer at our ‘Artists’ page). Ndodana-Breen’s new composition for the D2H project is called ‘Two Nguni Dances'.

(more about D2H and Haydn Trio Eisestadt at www.d2h.at)

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Events|Instrument collection campaign in Austria

The MIAGI instrument collection campaign will take place in six major cities in Austria in 2009; the cities of Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Linz, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck. The collected instruments (including strings, bows and other instrument related equipment) will go to MIAGI’s Instrument Library.

The MIAGI Instrument Library consists mainly of instruments collected during two successful instrument collection campaigns held in Germany in 2003 and 2006 in collaboration with the Hamburger Abendblatt. The Library provides high quality instruments on loan to young music students in South Africa. More information will follow...

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Events|Spring Concert - the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Youth Big Band performed at the Linder Auditorium on 08 September!

The concert was funded by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Cultural Fund of the Southern African–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg and was billed as a Spring Concert by the German Cultural Attaché, Mr Andreas Haack.

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany funded the visit of the young German conductor, Patrick Lange to conduct the MYO (read more about Maestro Lange at our ‘Artists’ page).

The MIAGI Youth Big Band performed under the direction of Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder (read more about 'Hanepoot' van Tonder at our ‘Artists’ page).

The concert was in effect the high-light of a reunion of musicians who attended the 2008 MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course in Cape Town in April. The young players gathered at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, at Maropeng on Saturday 06 September for intensive rehearsal sessions read the report on this event at our education page.

About the Cradle of Humankind at Maropeng: The Cradle of Humankind was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 because of the area’s exceptional contribution to our understanding of the history of humanity, over more than 3-million years. All together, there are 15 major fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind, of which Sterkfontein Caves is the most famous. The fossils 'Mrs Ples' and 'Little Foot' were both discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves, as well as thousands more fossils of hominids, which are human ancestors, as well those of plants and animals. More hominid fossils have been found in the Cradle of Humankind than anywhere else on Earth.

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Festival|MIAGI Festival 2008 Report

One of the main purposes of the MIAGI Festival, and of other public MIAGI events, is to use the publicity received through these to promote our organisation’s key objectives.

Music education and engaging in musical activities are effective tools of positive social development. Music also unites people, thus offering an invaluable contribution to community and nation building.

On an individual level, music assists children in developing life skills, awakens their creativity and acts as a catalyst for positive social interaction.

The Festival offers MIAGI a platform of showcasing our main activities, such as our nationwide Youth Orchestra and Youth Band movement, our work for increased understanding across ethnic and other borders, and our work to bring lesser-known African music cultures well-deserved recognition and exposure in an international context.

In this way, we aim to attract long-term supporters for our organisation, while at the same time raising the profile of other organisations that are working towards the same goals as MIAGI.

MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course 2008

The annual MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course was held from April 26 to May 3, at St Cyprian’s Girls High in Cape Town (please refer to the separate MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course report), as a run-up to the MIAGI Festival. 99 enthusiastic children and youth that had been selected through an extensive auditioning process around the country formed the MIAGI Youth Orchestra, Youth Chamber Orchestra and Youth Big Band. The children were offered free board and lodging, as well as tuition from first-class musicians/music pedagogues from South Africa and abroad. The conductors were Maestro Cem Mansur and big band leader, Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder, who both deepened the successful and affectionate rapport that was initiated at the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course 2007. Transport for the children who were flown to Cape Town from their respective towns and cities was also arranged and paid for by MIAGI. We are particularly grateful for the support we receive from our major funders, such as the Department of Arts and Culture, for our work among South African children and youth.

The Government of Finland:

MIAGI’s Education Programme has, since inception of our organisation, also had a major supporter and funder in the Embassy of Finland. As a thank-you to the Finnish government, MIAGI 2008 celebrated Finland by bringing three world-renowned Finnish musicians to the festival: Ralf Gothóni (pianist, and principal conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra in London), Elina Vähälä (violinist and 1999 Young Concert International Auditions winner in New York) and Arto Noras (since his success at the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow, by many considered one of the world’s leading cellists).

The Gala Concert 2008

MIAGI, in partnership with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrated South Africa’s indigenous music and musicians. In this groundbreaking concert that was the first event of the CPO’s Symphony season (Fall/Winter 2008), Thikundwi kha Sialala Venda Ngoma drummers and dancers and Ensemble Uthingo (kudu-horns) were offered an opportunity to show their unique art form and perform for the CPO’s subscription audience. It was undoubtedly also the first time in history that an exceptionally skilled and strong group such as Thikundwi kha Sialala, consisting of 27 Venda musicians and dancers, performed together with a professional symphony orchestra such as the CPO. This colourful concert also formed part of MIAGI 2008 Celebrating Finland, in a programme presenting ‘Dances from North and South’.

The programme: Ciacona & Tshikona – Dance from North and South for Venda Ngoma drummers and dancers, kudu-horns and classical orchestra by South African composer Hans Huyssen (who also conducted the work), was commissioned for MIAGI 2007 and premiered to great public acclaim at the 2007 Festival Gala Concert at the Johannesburg City Hall.  Conductor and pianist Ralf Gothóni and violinist Elina Vähälä performed Felix Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto for Violin and Piano. Dances from the North were offered by Arto Noras, with a piece by Aulis Sallinen: Chamber Music III ‘The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote’, for Cello and String Orchestra.

The MIAGI Festival 2008 Intercultural Work

For the 2008 Festival, MIAGI commissioned composer, arranger and pianist Isak Roux to compose a full jazz gospel cantata.

South African composer Roux's work is deeply rooted in Africa. It draws from traditional American spirituals and township jazz rhythms, using ethnic instrumental elements such as Venda horns, penny whistles, djembe drums and marimbas. The structure, drawing from the classical cantata, juxtaposed this unique African texture with the classical in an interesting way. In Coming Home, Roux brought traditional spiritual music – often associated with America – back to its ancestral home. To this end, the narratives of the spirituals were re-interpreted and translated into South Africa's indigenous languages, creating 'a triumphant vision of our past, present and future as a testimony to the power and creative endurance of the human spirit,' to quote Roux.

Earlier successful MIAGI/Roux collaborations have included the ‘No Boundaries’ CD, with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the English Chamber Orchestra, nominated for a Grammy Award in 2006. Also in 2006, his work for orchestra and four pennywhistles was presented in Bern, Switzerland, by Kwela Tebza and the Bern Symphony Orchestra.

MIAGI Patron, Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and world renowned Violinist, Maxim Vengerov:

MIAGI was proud to once again present Maxim Vengerov, world-renowned violinist, conductor, Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and MIAGI patron. It was Vengerov who in 2003, during his first visit to South Africa, coined the expression ‘Music Is A Great Investment’ - MIAGI, giving our organisation its current name.

In January 2007 Vengerov became recipient of the World Economic Forum’s Crystal award. The award honours artists who have used their art to reach out to other cultures and has been given to many a distinguished artist over the years. Vengerov was being honoured, not only for his artistry, but for his passionate commitment to human dialogue across all boundaries of nationality.

It was in this context Vengerov generously accepted MIAGI’s invitation to return to South Africa, to assist us in promoting our objectives. Four major events were scheduled, at the Cape Town City Hall, the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, at The Westcliff - a MIAGI accommodation sponsor, and at the Morris Isaacson School in Soweto. Vengerov interacted with the audience in his inimitably inspirational and entertaining way and conducted the MIAGI Youth Chamber Orchestra in two public ‘Masterclasses for Orchestra’. At the MIAGI/Unicef VIP dinner at The Westcliff, Vengerov held a speech for 89 selected, high-ranking MIAGI and Unicef VIP guests in the distinguished presence of Macharia Kamau, Country Representative Unicef South Africa, and the patron of Maxim Vengerov’s visit to South Africa, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.

Dr Moloi-Motsepe is a businesswoman and Executive Director of the Motsepe Family Foundation, and is passionate about the development of young people in the creative arts and industries.

 “I believe that music is a powerful tool and gives a message of life and hope for a better future for our children.” says Dr Moloi-Motsepe. “South Africa is a medley of cultures.  The end of the apartheid era has opened up a cultural renaissance in our country. The raw talent in our creative industries needs to be nurtured and allowed to fully develop. It is to this end that I feel honoured to be the patron of this initiative, which brings to our shores one the world’s outstanding cultural leaders, in Maxim Vengerov.”

Excerpt from a message from Macharia Kamau, Country Representative Unicef South Africa:

“It was with great pleasure that we received the news that Maxim Vengerov, world renowned violinist would be returning to South Africa in his capacity of  MIAGI honoured guest and Unicef Goodwill Ambassador. 
In 1997, Maxim became the first classical musician to be appointed envoy for music by Unicef.  In this role he has met with and performed for disadvantaged children in Uganda, Harlem, Thailand, Kosovo and here in South Africa. Through this work he inspires children to learn and grow through music education and encourages donors to support Unicef assisted programmes around the world.  He aims to do no less for South Africa through the wonderful partnership with MIAGI. We commend Maxim for his willingness to share his extraordinary talents with music lovers in the country, but most of all, for his tireless promotion of music and music education to enhance the cognitive and social development of children and youth. 

Worldwide, music is recognised as a tool for positive social change and its benefits are vast. MIAGI stresses that “music is a great investment” and the reality is that children who engage in music-related activities are far more likely to complete their studies and avoid negative social behaviours such as gang-violence and substance abuse.

Unicef is proud of its partnership with MIAGI and congratulates MIAGI and Maxim on their important work to improve children’s lives through the most powerful universal language of music”.

During his sojourn in South Africa, Maxim Vengerov made a site visit to the planned MIAGI Music Centre at the Morris Isaacson School, turning the sod at the proposed building site in the presence of representatives from MIAGI, Unicef South Africa and the media. The architects presented the building plans and showed the delegation around the premises. A warm reception in the headmaster’s office (with coffee, food and snacks) finished this touching, symbolic event. His visit has already proven to have been a highly successful partnership endeavour together with Unicef South Africa and under the distinguished patronage of Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.

MIAGI is indebted and infinitely thankful to Maxim Vengerov for his deep commitment and immense generosity and support.

Workshops and Opportunities for 50 specially gifted, aspiring young South African Artists:

As in previous years, the most renowned musicians offered workshops for children from MIAGI-supported music education initiatives (Maxim Vengerov’s ‘Masterclasses for Orchestra’) and at the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town (Arto Noras and Ralf Gothóni). Cellist Abel Selaocoe (16) was chosen to play as soloist with the MIAGI Youth Orchestra. He gave three public performances, one under the baton of conductor Cem Mansur, and two under the baton of conductor Maxim Vengerov. Abel received many hours of private tuition from Maxim Vengerov, who also gave him his personal recommendation as a highly worthy candidate for scholarships. MIAGI is currently trying to facilitate a much-needed scholarship that will enable Abel to effectively pursue his studies.

MIAGI Socializing 2008 – the VIP Cocktail Events – the Soirée at the Vineyard Hotel – the Delegation of high-ranking Personalities from the Culture and Business Sectors in Finland:

MIAGI is well-recognised for the exceptional high-profile networking opportunities our events offer. We understand well the importance of offering such opportunities to key players from the national and international governmental, cultural and corporate sectors, and believe in Unesco’s statement that ‘sustainable development and the flourishing of culture are interdependent’.

The Finnish VIP delegation that accompanied the three Finnish artists were offered an unforgettable experience, with accommodation at the Vineyard Hotel - a MIAGI accommodation sponsor, tickets to all the MIAGI events including all MIAGI VIP after-concert cocktail events and a bush holiday at Inyati Private Game Reserve, a MIAGI accommodation sponsor. The Gala Concert cocktail event was generously co-hosted by the City of Cape Town and the event after the Youth Chamber Orchestra Concert with Maxim Vengerov, by the Joan St Leger Lindbergh Arts Foundation. MIAGI also organised a VIP Soirée together with the Vineyard Hotel and Spa. This event offered an unusual musical mix with performances by the Isicathamiya group Thokozani Brothers, Jazz pianist Tete Mbambisa and singer Vuyisua Mbambisa, as well as classical artists such as Ralf Gothóni, Elina Vähälä and the young up-and-coming violinist from the MIAGI mentor-and-protégé programme, Anele Mhlahlo.

MIAGI’s Venues:

MIAGI has throughout the years utilised less popular venues, such as the Cape Town and Johannesburg City Halls, in an attempt to draw the public’s attention to these excellent historical venues that need and deserve thorough renovations.

Media Interviews:

MIAGI Executive Director Robert Brooks, Creative Manager Ingrid Hedlund, Education Consultant Frank Sturgess, and the key festival artists Cem Mansur, Sibongile Khumalo, Kutlwano Masote, Isak Roux, Maxim Vengerov and Abel Selaocoe as well as the children partaking in the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course were interviewed for numerous live television and live radio interviews around the country (please refer to the separate media report below for more details).

The MIAGI Festival Concerts, May 03 to May 21-2008,
the public events in detail:

Cape Town and Johannesburg came alive in the month of May when the MIAGI Festival 2008 rolled into town! MIAGI has for the past eight years wowed fans across South Africa with its exciting festival, celebrating the unity in diversity of our country and musical heritage by fusing distinctly African with Western classical sounds. This year MIAGI once again presented an eclectic line-up of local stars, aspiring young musicians and international greats such as Maxim Vengerov, Sibongile Khumalo, Thikundwi kha Sialala Venda Ngoma Drummers and Dancers, the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans Huyssen, Kutlwano Masote, Thinus Maree, Ralf Gothóni, Arto Noras, Sibongile Mngoma, Elina Vähälä, Isak Roux and the Chamber Orchestra of Johannesburg. The festival kicked off with a free concert at the Cape Town City Hall on May 3, featuring the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Youth Big Band with young up-and coming cellist Abel Selaocoe as soloist.

MAY 03, 20h00, CAPE TOWN CITY HALL – MIAGI YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT – FESTIVAL 2008 OPENING CONCERT

The MIAGI Youth Orchestra, Youth Chamber Orchestra and Youth Big Band with Cem Mansur (conductor), soloist Abel Selaocoe (cello) and Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder (big band leader). It was a ‘free entrance event’ through which MIAGI once again successfully promoted our nationwide Youth Orchestra and Youth Big Band movement. It was also the Festive Opening Concert of the MIAGI Festival 2008. 

The MIAGI Youth Orchestra, Youth Chamber Orchestra and Big Band had prepared the programme at the MIAGI Youth Orchestra course 2008, held between April 26 and May 3, at St Cyprian’s Girls High in Cape Town (please refer to the separate MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course report). The young players were led by Turkish-born conductor Cem Mansur and South Africa's Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder. On the programme: Giuseppe Verdi’s Overture to La Forza del Destino, Luigi Boccherini’s Cello Concerto in B flat major, Edward Grieg’s Peer Gynt suite nr. 1 and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave, together with some of South Africa’s best jazz composers such as David Ledbetter, Merton Barrow, Dudu Pukwana, Errol Dyers and Douglas Armstrong.

MAY 06, 20h15, BAXTER CONCERT HALL, CAPE TOWN – ‘CHAMBER MUSIC AT ITS BEST’

MIAGI Celebrates Finland – MIAGI’s Education Programme has since inception of our organisation had a major supporter and funder in the Embassy of Finland. In this concert ‘Chamber Music at its Best,’ MIAGI presented three premier musicians from the international stages, Ralf Gothóni (piano), Arto Noras (cello) and Elina Vähälä (violin).

On the programme, Ludwig van Beethoven: Seven variations on ‘Bei Männern, welche  Liebe fühlen’ from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio in D Major (‘Ghost Trio’), Antonin Dvorák: Piano Trio in E Minor (´Dumky´).

MAY 08, 20h00, CAPE TOWN CITY HALL – GALA CONCERT

MIAGI Celebrates Finland and South Africa’s indigenous music and musicians in a concert presenting Dances from North and South - MIAGI Festival 2008 Gala Concert – MIAGI in partnership with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Thikundwi kha Sialala Venda Ngoma drummers and dancers, Ensemble Uthingo (kudu-horns), Hans Huyssen (conductor) Ralf Gothóni (piano and conductor), Arto Noras (cello) and Elina Vähälä (violin) performed together with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra

The programme: Ciacona & Tshikona – Dance from North and South for Venda Ngoma drummers and dancers, kudu-horns and classical orchestra by South African composer Hans Huyssen, was commissioned for MIAGI 2007 and premiered with great public acclaim at the 2007 Festival Gala Concert at Johannesburg City Hall.  Conductor and pianist Ralf Gothóni and violinist Elina Vähälä performed Felix Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto for Violin and Piano. Dances from the North were offered by Arto Noras with a piece byAulis Sallinen: Chamber Music III ‘The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote’, for Cello and String Orchestra.

MAY 14, 20h00, CAPE TOWN CITY HALL - MASTERCLASS FOR ORCHESTRA WITH THE MIAGI YOUTH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY MAXIM VENGEROV

Maxim Vengerov and the MIAGI Youth Chamber Orchestra – ‘Masterclass for Orchestra’– a MIAGI/Unicef partnership under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Precious Moloi–Motsepe

MIAGI's patron, world renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov joined the festival in support of MIAGI’s objectives and the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Programme in his capacity as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Vengerov, who has since 2000 also been dedicating himself increasingly to conducting, is considered one of the most extraordinary musicians of his time, and the supreme violinist of his generation. He shared his thoughts with the audience, and worked with the young players before the performance – this very special event, which eluded an 'easy definition' was billed as a: ’Master Class for Orchestra with Maxim Vengerov'. A passion of Vengerov’s life is his involvement with young people through giving public master classes.

On the programme: Mozart’s overture to the Marriage of Figaro, Luigi Bocherini’s Cello Concerto in B flat major, Edward Grieg’s Peer Gynt suite nr. 1

MAY 17, 20h00, JOHANNESBURG CITY HALL – THE JAZZ AND GOSPEL CANTATA ‘COMING HOME’ BY ISAK ROUX

‘Coming Home’, Jazz Gospel Cantata by Isak Roux sung and spoken in English, Zulu, Sesotho and Afrikaans. Sibongile Khumalo (mezzo soprano), Robert Brooks (tenor), Thinus Maree (baritone), Sibongile Mngoma (narrator), Isak Roux (piano) with the Gauteng Choristers, the Chamber Orchestra of Johannesburg and an all star Jazz Rhythm Section conducted by Kutlwano Masote.

MAY 18, 15h00, LINDER AUDITORIUM, JOHANNESBURG – MASTERCLASS FOR ORCHESTRA WITH THE MIAGI YOUTH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY MAXIM VENGEROV

Maxim Vengerov and the MIAGI Youth Chamber Orchestra – ‘Masterclass for Orchestra’ - a MIAGI/Unicef partnership under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Precious Moloi–Motsepe – the programme: please see above, May 14,  Cape Town City Hall.

MAY 20, 20h00, BAXTER CONCERT HALL, CAPE TOWN – CEM MANSUR CONDUCTS THE UCT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Cem Mansur and the UCT Symphony Orchestra - MIAGI in partnership with the South African College of Music. Soloists: two young South African College of Music students - MIAGI protégé Pretty Yende (soprano) and Tzu-Fan Tang (violin)

Born in Istanbul, Cem Mansur has conducted the English Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hungarian State Orchestra and worked with many world-renowned soloists such as Janos Starker, Midori, Dmitri Alexeev and Håkan Hardenberger.  Mansur has further conducted opera at prestigious stages such as the National Theatre in Prague and the Kirov Opera. He was conductor of the Istanbul Opera between 1981 and 1989 and principal conductor of the City of Oxford Orchestra from 1989 to1997. He is President of the Ipswich Choral Society in England and Artistic Director of the Akbank Chamber Orchestra in Istanbul.

Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs), Pretty Yende (soprano)
Maurice Ravel: Tzigane, Tzu-Fan Tang (violin)
Alexander Borodin: Symphony No. 2

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Festival 2008|Media Exposure

SOME 30+ MAJOR ARTICLES ABOUT MIAGI AND THE FESTIVAL EVENTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES, in addition to “mentions” in the events pages of many of these.

CAPE TOWN:
Athlone Community Paper
Cape Argus
Cape Argus (Weekend)
Cape Times
Die Burger
Weekend Post
Tygerburger
People’s Post

FREE STATE
Die Vrystater

JOHANNESBURG
The Citizen
Die Beeld
Die Rapport
People’s Post
Pretoria News
SA Jewish Reporter
The Star
The Times
The Weekender

NATIONAL
Business Day
Mail & Guardian
Sunday Independent
Sunday World
The Sowetan
Classic Feel Magazine
The Blue Train
Audio & Visual SA
Techsmart
Teenzone
Jet Club
Wine Tourism News
GQ Magazine

THE FESTIVAL RECEIVED EXTENSIVE COVERAGE THROUGH TELEVISION AND RADIO

LISTINGS AND RECORDINGS:
Afro Café’s events calendar – Afro Café also filmed the Jazz Gospel Oratorio at Johannesburg City Hall on May 17.

LIVE TELEVISION INTERVIEWS WITH MIAGI KEY PEOPLE AND ARTISTS:
Lunch Time on e-tv
Morning edition e-tv
SABC Africa 180 Degrees

LIVE INTERVIEWS WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE MIAGI YOUTH ORCHESTRA:
KTV
Frenzy

17 LIVE INTERVIEWS ON FOLLOWING RADIO STATIONS WITH MIAGI KEY PEOPLE AND ARTISTS:

Regional Radio Stations: Ofm, Fine Music Radio, 702 Talk Radio
National Broadcaster: SAfm, RSG, Radio 2000
Community Stations: CCfm, Bush Radio

ADDITIONAL ONLINE PUBLICITY

LISTINGS AND ARTICLES:
24.com
702 website
Art Zone
Cape Town Natural
City of Johannesburg Entertainment
Leisure Time
MIO
Rapid Info

PUBLICITY, PUBLIC AND MEDIA RESPONSE

MIAGI enjoyed significant media coverage for the 2008 Festival.  The press in the Cape, especially, were most supportive of and enthusiastic about the events.  The SABC also provided many opportunities for interviews, which were broadcast nationally; while Fine Music Radio in Cape Town provided consistent regional coverage.  ClassicFEEL magazine has provided continuous exposure of MIAGI.  The goodwill, in the form of discounts and free publicity, that was shown to MIAGI, before and during the Festival, clearly demonstrates the media’s abiding interest in, and support for our organisation.

The financial value of the publicity is expressed as AVE. The AVE, or Advertising Value Equivalent, is the amount that would have had to be paid for the same exposure/reach in an advertisement, and is calculated using circulation/audience figures and the advertising rate-card prices for the various media.

Not all reports have been received from the news monitoring service, but to date, the AVE for the MIAGI 2008 Festival is R1,595,473, of which R202,572 is for broadcast (radio & TV) and R1,392,901 for printed media.  Most electronic (online) media is excluded - it is not always possible to calculate the AVE for on-line presence.

In total, 26 interviews were given, of which 17 were radio and TV interviews, both live and pre-recorded: Fine Music Radio interviewed Cem Mansur, Robert Brooks and Ingrid Hedlund live in the 13h00 to 14h00 slot on three consecutive Mondays.  Jan Stofberg was interviewed by RSG, a pre-recorded interview that was broadcast on 13 May in the arts programme.  Talk Radio 702 interviewed Robert Brooks by telephone on 16 May – this was a vital interview, taking into account the relative lack of print-media coverage in Johannesburg.  Interviews were given on a number of community stations as well – the spread between the different categories of radio (public broadcaster, commercial and community) was a very good one.

Printed-media coverage was as diverse as could be, with the Festival being discussed in the Wine Tourism News, The Blue Train and the Jet Club magazine and twice in the Audio & Video SA magazine!  It was even mentioned in GQ Magazine.  In addition to this eclectic mixture, almost all of the major daily and weekly newspapers carried articles, interviews or mentions of the Total MIAGI Festival 2008.

Public and Media Response

The responses received from audience and participants alike have been positive, with negative comments relating more to arbitrary matters (such as the fact that no refreshments were for sale at some events) than about the Festival events themselves.  We have taken note of these comments, and will endeavour to address them in the future. Here are some of the comments:

The interaction I witnessed between the children was wonderful to see, sharing technical exercises and methods of playing etc. (parent of MYO participant)

Many thank you to all the instructors who have had an amazing impact on our youth that enjoys playing together in this kind of environment. (parent of MYO participant)

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it. It was a great privilege for me! (MYO participant)

A few samples of Emails received:

Thankyou for ALL the LOVELY INSPIRING concerts we’ve seen this year !!

The concert on Sat night in Cpt City Hall was, in short-brilliant!

My sincere thanks for a remarkable evening and afternoon. It was memorable!

It was heartwarming to experience the beautiful music created by the talented group of kids!

A great evening. Loved the Mendelssohn. As to the 'Ciacona & Tshikona': found it exhilarating and refreshing!

Such wonderful visuals and music.  I think this ['Ciacona & Tshikona'] is the best yet of African and Western fusion!

Standing ovation for MYO – fantastic playing!

And in the press…

Die Burger, 8 Mei 2008

’n Ryk luisterervaring

Met die tweede deel was die samespel puik… ook die finale presto-deel was uiters geslaagd.

Die Burger, 10 Mei 2008

... die tjellis Arto Noras, wat dit hier uitgevoer het. Hy het die talle moeilike frases met groot welslae behartig.

Die KFO se strykers het hier goeie spel gelewer onder Huyssen se meelewende leiding.

Gothóni het agter die klawers indrukwekkende spel gelewer en terselfdertyd die orkes gelei in dié uiters opwindende [Mendelssohn} dubbelconcerto.

Cape Times, 15 May 2008

It proved a delightful romp through a variety of dance forms, incorporating references to diverse dance forms and composers in a witty picaresque. Noras demonstrated a sure-fire technique in the taxing instrumental writing.

… a stylish and invigorating account.

The Weekender, 24 May 2008

… Coming Home certainly is [unusual]; but it is a carefully modulated work that straddles these different musical styles with both sophistication and gusto.

The standing ovation was, however, well deserved. The musical scope of this “jazz gospel cantata” is impressive and it is to be hoped that Coming Home will be performed again soon.

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