World-famous muso wows at Riverbend
It was a brilliant performance by the phenomenal duo.
VIOLINIST Joanna Frankel and pianist Christopher Duigan wowed a full house of classical music lovers at Riverbend Conference Centre in Ramsgate last Saturday evening.
Together the duet bought to life pieces from composers such as Camille Saint-Saens, Edward Elgar, Jules Massenet, Arvo Part and Antonio Bazzini.
Joanna was absolutely captivating on her 1846 Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin labelled ‘Joseph Guarnerius fecit Cremonae’, on an extended loan from a generous patron through the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation in Chicago.
Joanna has received worldwide acclaim for her technical prowess, and her artistic sensitivity, and her captivating performances of the classical repertory’s most challenging masterpieces.
Born in Philadephia, she began studying the violin at the age of three. She trained at The Juilliard School in New York City. She has toured as a concert soloist and chamber musician across the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Apart from her many achievements, she was appointed the First Concertmaster of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2013.
Leading South African concert pianist Duigan, who is hailed as a South African piano icon, has been based in the Midlands for the last 17 years.
His ongoing concert series, under the name Music Revival, has grown as a ‘brand’ that now presents over 80 performances usually ranging from intimate soirees in his home studio to major performances by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra.
