Unplugged Concerts for August – LOTS to enjoy!

Unplugged Concerts brings you a selection of the latest concert events coming up in August thanks to Louise Howlett’s varied programme.

Concerts are in full swing across Cape Town this month with a specific focus on youth including the FMR Bursary Awards, concerts with CPYO, plus chamber music, Baroque, orchestra, choral and something special for lovers of brass with the wonderful Minnesota Orchestra Brass Quintet touring South Africa. See the full programme below.

For details on all things Jazz – do check out the weekly jazz guide.

Don’t forget to also tune into Fine Music Radio 101.3fm (Dstv838 & streaming on fmr.co.za – plus their new FMR App) each morning for more calendar updates!.

BAROQUE: The Lutesong Duo 
FRIDAY 12 AUGUST: LUTESONG MIXED DOUBLES @ 6 SPIN STREET
The Lutesong Duo will present ‘Mixed Doubles’ with percussionist Lilavan Gangen. The programme of popular toe-tapping songs from 17th century Spain and Italy bears a much closer resemblance to modern folk music than to traditional concepts of ‘classical’ or ‘art’ music. In addition to emphasizing the ‘groove’ of this very seldom heard music, the addition of non-Western percussion instruments further helps blur the lines between ‘classical’ and ‘pop’ music, and transports the listener to a very unique sound world that somehow feels ancient and modern at the same time.

The concert takes place at 7pm at 6 Spin Street Restaurant and Gallery. | To book HERE

CHAMBER MUSIC: Beau Soleil Piano Quartet
FRIDAY 12 AUGUST: BEAU SOLEIL QUARTET @ ERIN HALL
Following their debut sold-out concert at the Welgemeend Concert Hall, the Beau Soleil Piano Quartet repeat their programme of works by Schuman, Piazzola and Turina. Ticket includes a complimentary glass of Jakob’s Vineyards wine.

The concert takes place at 7pm in Erin Hall, Rondebosch. | To book HERE

YOUTH ORCHESTRA: Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
SATURDAY 13 AUGUST: CPYO @ HUGO LAMBRECHTS
Enjoy the talent, energy and passion of Cape Town’s leading youth orchestra and its charismatic conductor, Brandon Phillips, with the superb young pianist Mike Wang. The programme includes: Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March, Mendelssohn Piano Concerto no 1, Beethoven Symphony no 5

The concert takes places at 4pm at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium. | To book HERE

CHORAL: Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town
SATURDAY 13 AUGUST: PHILHARMONIA CHOIR OF CAPE TOWN
Join the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town for two majestic and beloved choral works: Vivaldi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Requiem. Richard Cock conducts the Philharmonia Choir and Chamber Orchestra with soloists Elizabeth du Toit, Jacobi de Villiers, Arthur Swan and Conroy Scott.

The concert takes place at 7.30pm at the Groote Kerk, Cape Town. | To book: HERE

YOUTH COMPETITION: FMR Classical Bursary Awards and FMR Jazz & African Awards
WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST: FMR CLASSICAL BURSARY AWARDS
FRIDAY 19 AUGUST: FMR JAZZ & AFRICAN AWARDS
As Africa’s only classical and jazz Fine Music Radio station, FMR is committed to nurturing our stars of tomorrow. This national competition was established by the Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation with the purpose of providing scholarships, bursaries or awards to students studying for a performance diploma or a degree in music.

For the first time there will be 4 catagories: Classical Instrumental & Vocal, Jazz & African music  The competitions take place in the Baxter Concert Hall. Entrance Free For more details contact:

CHAMBER MUSIC: Minnesota Orchestra Brass Quintet
THURSDAY 18 AUGUST: MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA BRASS QUINTET @ GROOTE KERK
Established in 1903, the Minnesota Orchestra is a Grammy Award-winning orchestra known for acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world.
The Minnesota Orchestra Brass Quintet will visit South Africa this August and present an eclectic, entertaining, and virtuosic program featuring songs of joy from around the world inspired by dance rhythms of many cultures. The program will include the music of Bernstein, Gershwin,Ellington, Piazzolla, as well as African American spirituals, and brand new works by award winning composer Jack Stamp.

The Cape Town Concert Brass will open the concert which takes place at 7pm at the Groote Kerk, Cape Town They will also be performing on: SATURDAY 20 AUGUST AT 6PM AT MOEDERKERK STELLENBOSCH  |  To book HERE

YOUTH ORCHESTRA: Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra
SUNDAY 21 AUGUST: CYPO @ ARTSCAPE
Various youth ensembles under the training programmes of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will present a free concert on Sunday 21 August. Junior, Intermediate and Senior Strings Ensembles will perform as well as the CPO Music Academy Wind Band.

The concert takes place at 3pm in the Artscape Chandelier Foyer. | No pre booking required.

ORCHESTRA: Stellenbosch City Orchestra
26 & 27 AUGUST: STELLENBOSCH CITY ORCHESTRA @ LOURENSFORD
The Stellenbosch City Orchestra (SCO) will perform the greatest show stoppers played by the orchestra over the past decade featuring super star soloists Lynelle Kenned and Andre Terblanche. Prepare yourself to revel in the greatest hits of diverse stars such as Queen, Andre Bocelli, Josh Groben, ABBA, Lady Gaga and many more!

The concerts start at 7.30pm, in the Lourensford Wine Cellar. | To book HERE

YOUTH PIANO COMPETITION Johann Vos Music Competition
WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST: JOHAN VOS PIANO COMPETITION
The finals of the prestigious Johann Vos Music Competition presented by Bellville High School in collaboration with the Hugo Lambrechts Music Trust take place on Sunday 31 August. The piano division includes an open category sponsored by the Enid Muriel Trust in memory of Olive Lieberz.

The competition takes place at 7pm in the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium | To book: email info@ctconcerts.co.za

WHAT: Unplugged – Cape Town Concert Series
INFO: Louise Howlett E info@ctconcerts.co.za