The Charl du Plessis Trio with the Phoenix Orchestra conducted by Richard Cock will showcase some unique and exciting music for piano and orchestra (sponsored by MayFord Seeds) on September 10 at the Linder Auditorium. DIANE DE BEER chatted to the much loved conductor Richard Cock about music and its longevity:
He has worked as a conductor in so many spheres of music, from the old days of the National Symphony Orchestra with strict classical repertoire to these days conducting the beloved Starlight Classics concerts with pop, rock and crossover music, which has everything to do with stretching the appeal to reach as wide an audience as possible.
And while more serious concerts will always be part of his repertoire, most of his work involves the crossover type programmes like this one with Charl and his trio and the Phoenix Orchestra, which started during the Covid period when they were trying to create work when there was none. “We have continued since as it worked well and players were responsive,” says Richard.
With piano the featured instrument for this concert, Richard believes that it is the instrument that most audiences identify with most easily hence the attraction. “I think many people have played the piano in their youth and they can associate with it quite easily. You can also see how it is played, and it is pretty impressive to see the hands flashing over the keyboard. There is a big visual element that comes into play.”
The programme will include arrangements of music by classical composers as well as some new upbeat arrangements in diverse styles, ranging from rock and boogie to blues. Audiences can also look forward to big band jazz and soothing film music sounds. The concert will also include arrangements of music by Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven and Mozart, as well as Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington and Astor Piazzolla.
“It’s a wide range of music, beautiful and expert arrangements by Charl, and unusual contrasts (Grieg and Lady Gaga). All of this and the presentation where Charl and I chat to each other about the music makes it unique,” he explains.
“We have worked together since he was a young boy singing in the Bloemfontein Children’s Choir! And a lot more recently. I love his energy and creativity, and we have a good verbal exchange on stage. The chat is unrehearsed and spontaneous, and thus lively and fresh every time.”
With so much on offer, live and online post Covid, audiences will always be a need for what is perceived as more niche art forms, but the conductor is excited about the future. “ I see audiences changing and a lot of younger people are attending classical and orchestral concerts.” As one of the presenters on Classic 102.7 for many years, it was a loss to many regular listeners but like many things in life, Richard knows how to mourn and when to move on. “The chances of getting another Classic station are low.”
Instead he puts the emphasis on what he can still do and something that has always dominated his life – conducting. It invigorates and challenges him still. “I love the creative process of bringing music off the printed page and into the air. It never fails to excite me, and I hope the audience too.”
Linder Auditorium, JHB, 3pm, Sunday 10 September
Quicket link for bookings: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/218206-bach-beethoven-and-boogie/?ref=algolia-search#/
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