Due to family illness pianist Christopher Park unfortunately has had to cancel his tour to South Africa this month. Our thoughts are with him at this time.
However, we are lucky that his violin partner Amalia Hall, who was to appear as a guest in his concert has agreed to step in and join with South African/Portuguese pianist José Dias for a full programme of loved violin sonatas by Beethoven, Franck and Prokofiev finishing with the Carmen Fantasy by Sarasate.
Amalia Hall
Recently appointed as Concertmaster of Orchestra Wellington, Amalia Hall is widely recognised as one of the foremost young violinists to emerge from New Zealand. She has won five international competitions and has received laureate prizes at numerous others, including the Joseph Joachim, Premio R. Lipizer and International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. While still in her teens she won all of the major national awards in New Zealand. Amalia studied at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music with Pamela Frank and Joseph Silverstein.
Since making her debut at the age of 9 with the Auckland Philharmonia, Amalia has been a regular soloist with orchestras in New Zealand, and has made solo appearances with orchestras in Europe and Mexico including I Virtuosi Italiani, Munich Chamber Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Filarmonica Marchigiana and Mexico State Symphony Orchestra.
Her extensive performing experience includes performing concerti, recitals and chamber music throughout Europe, USA, China, Mexico and NZ; touring for Chamber Music New Zealand, Curtis on Tour and as a member of the NZ Chamber Soloists; and recording chamber music for Bridge Records and Atoll Records. Amalia is currently a member of the teaching staff at the University of Waikato, and has given masterclasses at universities and conservatories in Italy, England and Mexico.
José Dias
Portuguese-born pianist, José Dias first travelled to South Africa in 2001 to enrol at the University of Stellenbosch, where he was to complete his BMus Honours cum laude, then furthering his studies at the Hochschule für Muzik und Theater in Zürich, Switzerland where he obtained his Konzertdiplom with distinction.
He is in growing demand as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist, and has also been the musical director of Biblioteek Productions including Poskantoor which was awarded Best Production at Aardklop and received 2 Fiesta Awards and 7 Nominations. He was co-creator and curator of RISE, in cooperation with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra – a platform for the display of young SA classical talent and is also an avid supporter of contemporary music, having premiered works by composers such as Hendrik Hofmeyr, Alexander Johnson and Braam du Toit.
He is currently completing his PhD (Music) at the University of Cape Town under the supervision of Prof. François du Toit and Prof. Hendrik Hofmeyr, and is a part-time lecturer at the UCT College of Music.
WHEN & WHERE: October 28 at 20:00 at the Baxter Concert Hall, Main Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7600
TICKETS: R180 available from Computicket outlets. Senior and student discounts at the door.
INFO: info@ctconcerts.co.za; visit
