Music lovers are in for a treat as clarinetist Anthony Drake and pianist Jacques du Plessis take to the stage for the Clarinet Across Continents recital at the Guild Theatre on Tuesday, April 5.
Presented by Onaipo Productions, the recital will showcase a unique blend of British and SA compositions, a first for the Guild Theatre and local audiences.
Drake and Du Plessis have performed together in an orchestral setting before, but this will be their first time working as a duo.
For Drake, who is originally from the UK, this concert marks a major career milestone as his first full recital in SA.
“My career in SA as a music teacher, saxophonist, orchestral musician and social entrepreneur evolved following my time in the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. I have however been blessed with invitations to perform short items as a soloist as part of a concert but haven’t staged a recital of my own here. So, this is a significant milestone for me, and it feels like the right time to share my love for the clarinet with the people of East London,” Drake said.
According to Du Plessis, the performance will be an educational experience for both musicians and listeners.
“It’s not often that audiences get to hear works by SA composers. Even though there are similarities in compositional style, the contrast between these works and the British pieces is fascinating and makes for a special listening experience. If there is a reason to bring more classical music to Buffalo City, it would be to share the beauty of the music with those that may not have heard it before,” Du Plessis said.
The programme includes the well-loved Five Bagatelles by UK composer Gerald Finzi to SA compositions that incorporate jazz elements.
“The Five Bagatelles pay homage to well-known British composers like Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams. They feature beautiful melodies that intertwine with the piano in a complex and masterful way,” Du Plessis said.
Drake has a deep personal connection to some of the pieces on the programme.
“I won’t give away the titles, but one of the works holds special meaning for me because hearing it performed when I was younger helped me decide that the clarinet was the instrument for me. Music is a gift, and live performances bring something special that recordings simply can’t,” Drake said.
General tickets are R100, while students and pensioners pay R60.
Book via WhatsApp at 079-496-0354.
