Unexpected gift for UCT student at Stellenbosch music festival

A young bassoonist from the University of Cape Town received an unexpected gift on the opening night of the 20th Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF), held on Friday, July 4 at Endler Hall.

Ofentse Segale was presented with a brand-new bassoon during the evening concert, much to her shock — and the delight of the audience.

The instrument was made possible by donations from more than 160 supporters.

Principal donor Alex Andersson, along with SICMF faculty flautist Ekaterina Kornishina and Grammy-winning conductor Michael Repper, who transported the bassoon from America, joined Segale on stage to make the special presentation.

The night began with a purple carpet reception during which festival director Peter Martens reflected on two decades of SICMF.

He honoured the festival’s late patron, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and announced a permanent artwork by South African pointillist Gavin Rain — a portrait of Tutu to be assembled during the festival outside the Konservatorium building.

He said artistic director Nina Schumann, whose “unending vision and passion” has been credited for drawing international artists back each year to what many consider a one-of-a-kind event.

The concert opened with Max Richter’s inventive reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed by acclaimed violinist Daniel Rowland and a top-tier ensemble of faculty and student musicians.

Mr Rowland’s expressive playing moved the audience, with a standout cello solo by his wife, Maja Bogdanović. The final movement was brought to life by the Figure of 8 Dancers.

After the interval, Mr Rowland was joined by fellow violinists Andrey Baranov and Nicolas Dautricourt for Olli Mustonen’s Concerto for Three Violins, led by conductor Antony Hermus.

The evening closed with Ravel’s Bolero, staged like a flash mob.

To top it all off, a birthday cake was wheeled out on stage for faculty violinist Ian Watson.

The SICMF continues until Sunday, July 13, with daily student concerts, public masterclasses, and evening performances.

This year’s line-up includes works by Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich and a specially commissioned composition by Boston-based jazz pianist Kevin Harris, inspired by the writings of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.

For tickets and the full festival programme, visit www.sicmf.co.za or book via Webtickets.