NWU Symphony Orchestra paints the town blue with captivating concert
With its vibrant blue theme and expertly delivered repertoire, the “In Blue” concert proved to be an unforgettable evening, one that captured the beauty, depth and emotion of music, and invited audiences to leave their blues behind.
The NWU Symphony Orchestra struck a powerful chord with audiences during its recent “In Blue” concert, held at the NWU Sanlam Auditorium in Potchefstroom.
The highly successful performance transformed the stage into a celebration of colour and sound, as the orchestra explored the many moods and shades of blue through a carefully curated programme of classical favourites and beloved film scores.
Opening the evening on an evocative note was Leaving Home from Avatar: The Way of Water, setting a powerful and atmospheric tone. From there, the orchestra moved seamlessly into the elegance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Suite, a composition rich in sweeping melodies and timeless beauty.
A clear highlight of the evening followed with George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, performed by the orchestra’s own pianist, Sergio Tavares. The piece brought an energetic, jazz-infused vibrancy to the programme, capturing the restless spirit of a bustling city and earning enthusiastic applause.
No tribute to blue would be complete without Johann Strauss II’s beloved The Blue Danube, which transported the audience to the charm and grace of Vienna with its flowing waltz rhythms.
A more reflective moment followed with Max Bruch’s deeply moving Kol Nidrei, featuring principal cellist Charles Oliver as soloist. His performance added emotional depth and introspection to the evening’s musical journey.
The concert closed on a dazzling note, returning to the ocean with selections from The Little Mermaid, leaving audiences uplifted and immersed in the magic of music.
