Legendary pianist Abdullah Ibrahim returns to his beloved Cape Town to weave his storytelling magic, writes Sibongakonke Mama.
The email from Abdullah Ibrahim says: “1700hrs confirmed for tomorrow.” I have already drawn up a list of 15 questions for one of South Africa’s national treasures.
At 5pm the next day, we are talking on Skype. With the tone and immediacy of a toddler’s 21 questions, a bright-eyed Ibrahim (81) asks: “Where are you?”
More interesting is where he is. He’s near the mountains, he replies, about an hour away from Munich, where he has finally found the perfect space for his equally perfect Fazioli grand piano.
His excitement is palpable.
“It’s a dream come true. I’ve known Paolo Fazioli for many years. Last year I did a concert at his concert hall. It’s quite amazing, watching the care and the energy he puts into creating an instrument. It’s a wonderful instrument. It responds to wherever you want it to go and then some.”
A Fazioli is the Whitney Houston of pianos. Ibrahim is working on adding a Fazioli to his collection of pianos in Cape Town. Meanwhile, he’ll rely on his Yamaha or Petrof to hypnotise the audience at Maynardville in Cape Town on December 18.
For full interview with Sibongakonke Mama, see Mail & Guardian
see also related blog
WHEN: 18th December 2015. Doors Open 19h00. Concert starts at 20h00
WHERE: Maynardville Amphitheatre, Wynberg, Cape Town 7800
TICKERS: R375 from Webtickets
Food and drinks will be on sale.
