Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra returns with the Early Spring Symphony Season for 2025. This time, both local and international talent will deliver a fresh repertoire of the most enchanting classical music compositions every week at Linder Auditorium from 7 to 28 August 2025.
“A warm welcome to Joburg’s vibrant body of music lovers for our four-concert Early Spring Symphony Season,” says Bongani Tembe, JPO’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director. “We are proud to present a fresh roster of guest stars, who will join our team of players in making great music together for the delight of our audience. The season dovetails with our ongoing commitment to community engagement and skills transfer among new-generation artists and learners.”
We break down all the upcoming concerts you cannot afford to miss over the next few weeks:
Week 1
The passion and vivaciousness of Georges Bizet’s Carmen suite sets the tone for the opening concert of JPO’s new symphony season., South Africa’s own Dingaan Chabalala will be joined by conductor Arjan Tien for this special soundscape. Dingaan is a dynamic trumpeter and graduate of the Grieg Academy of Music who is known for his powerful yet expressive performances.
The soloist will showcase his technique on Arutiunian’s very testing Trumpet Concerto in A-flat Major with its gorgeous slow movement.
When it comes to classical music, Dvořák sits in a class of his how, thanks to a deep understanding of how to imbue nature into music. Conductor Arjan Tien will be treating guests to the modest and sweeping Symphony No. 6 in D Major. Arjan’s vast repertoire stretches from baroque to classical and romantic to contemporary music and pop music.
Cost: From R180pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 7 August at 7:30pm. Pre-concert talks start at 6:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Week 2
Joburgers have the chance to witness the bold, passionate and innovative direction of Taiwanese American conductor Mei-Ann Chen up close for two concerts in the JPO’s Early Spring Season this year. First up, a special evening where the spotlight will be on guest soloist Judith Jauregui on piano.
Jaurequi will get the chance to show deft skill with Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D Major. This elegant gem of a concerto, especially the middle movement, may well foster a new appreciation of Haydn’s talent.
There is some intrigue that surrounds Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major. The composition was originally written to celebrate Napoleon Bonaparte. But when Napoleon showed imperial ambitions, Beethoven tossed the script to the ground and changed the title in protest of the emperor’s despotic behaviour. Regardless, the swings of emotion rank this as one of Beethoven’s most enchanting pieces to date.
The orchestra comes together for Mozart’s lively and well-balanced Symphony No. 35 in D Major, which combines elegance with utter expressiveness.
Cost: From R180pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 14 August at 7:30pm. Pre-concert talks start at 6:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Week 3
Perhaps as a nod to Women’s Month in South Africa, the third concert in JPO’s Early Spring Symphony Season will feature the Overture in C Major written by Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel. She was a composer and pianist, and the sister of the famous Felix Mendelssohn. This piece is notable as her only orchestral work. Visiting conductor Mei-Ann Chen will pay tribute to the work with an expressively directed performance.
Japanese pianist Keigo Mukawa has been getting a lot of attention for raking in prestigious top prizes and chamber music concerts in Japan and Europe. The artist will be in Joburg for the Early Spring Symphony Season on Thursday, 21 August. On the evening showlist is Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, which rarely features on chamber music programmes. It’s French music in all its glory.
And finally, the majestic and pastoral Symphony No. 4 in D minor by Schumann. Here, the alternating soaring melody swings fantastically between the 2nd and 3rd movements.
Cost: From R180pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 21 August at 7:30pm. Pre-concert talks start at 6:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Week 4
Peak technical brilliance and evolved talent are required for Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 4 in D minor. The work will be performed by Chinese-Canadian violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou, who rose to fame on the international concert circuit when she unanimously won three prestigious violin
competitions in France, Italy, and Spain (Long-Thibaud, Lipizer, Sarasate). Hou will also deliver an elegant rendition of Wieniawski’s D-minor Concerto, a work which, with its full range of virtuosity and lyricism, continues to be an essential in any violinist’s repertoire.
Tchaikovsky started working on the Symphony No. 7 in E-flat Major after Symphony No. 5, and initially it was intended to be his Sixth Symphony. The Russian composer abandoned this work in 1892, only to reuse the first movement in the single-movement Third Piano Concerto, Op. 75, first performed and published after he died in 1895. A reconstruction of the original symphony from the sketches and various reworkings was accomplished during 1951–1955 by Soviet-era composer Semyon Bogatyrev, who brought the symphony into finished, fully orchestrated form and issued the score as Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No 7 in E-flat major.
Conductor Daniel Boico will be tasked to reinterpret Symphony No. 7 to fine music lovers for the final concert in Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra’s Early Spring Symphony Season.
Cost: From R180pp, book via Quicket
When: Thursday, 28 August at 7:30pm. Pre-concert talks start at 6:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Get there early for the informative Pre-Concert Talks
Plan your evening carefully and be sure to join the Pre-Concert Talks that run before each concert at 6:30pm. Deano Maduramuthu, previously from the Morning Drive on Classic 1027 hosts an informative and engaging way to learn about the music before your concert.
The talks touch on music theory, guided listening and the program’s historical and cultural context. Entrance to the talks is free and all patrons are welcome.
27 Degrees restaurant right next to Linder Auditorium serves dinner from 5pm and secure and convenient parking is available.
More about Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) is a not-for-profit company that invests in identifying and nurturing local talent and skills in the city’s creative community. Their seasonal concerts and regular collaborations are prime markers of using classical music to bring people together.
When: From 7 to 28 August 2024, every Thursday from 7:30pm
Where: Linder Auditorium, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg
Website: jpo.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 484 0446
Facebook: @JohannesburgPhilharmonicOrchestra
Instagram: @johannesburgphilharmonic
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