Bringing Rachmaninoff to life in Ballito

Cellist Aristide du Plessis joins pianist Christopher Duigan in this month’s Music Revival concert in Ballito, performing the titanic Sonata for Cello and Piano by Rachmaninoff.

The programme’s centrepiece is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s magnificent Sonate for Cello and Piano Op 19.

This will be coupled with a selection on instrumental settings of Ave Maria – by Bach/Gounod, Giulio Caccini, Franz Schubert and the Argentine tango composer, Astor Piazzolla.

This unusual coupling can be seen as an acknowledgment of the lyrical and deeply religious chant-like melodies in Rachmaninoff’s music.

One of the composer’s most popular works, the cello sonata was composed at the same time as his celebrated Piano Concerto No 2 Op 18 and Two Piano Suite, shortly after he had suffered a major breakdown from depression.

The process of composing these works proved to be cathartic and pivotal in the composer’s recovery.

It is widely seen as one of the greatest compositional outpourings in the history of music.

This takes place on Tuesday 20 February at 7 pm at Ashton International College (tickets are R150).

Booking is via Music Revival Booking Line 083 417 4473 (WhatsApp and sms only) or booking@musicrevival.co.za.

Tickets are also available at the door.

For more info and additional performances visit www.musicrevival.co.za.

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