Chris Njapha (cello), Elna van der Merwe (piano)

LIVE LUNCH HOUR CONCERT
Entrance is FREE!
Masks must be worn at all times.
Entrance via Neethling Street to go through Covid-19 safety measures.

Programme:

Beethoven Cello Sonata No.3 in A major, Op. 69

i. Allegro, ma non tanto

ii. Scherzo. Allegro molto – Trio

iii. Adagio cantabile – Allegro vivace

Cassadó Cello Sonata

i. Lento ma non troppo

ii. Aragonesa: Presto ma non troppo (tempo comodo)

iii. Saeta: Grave

iv. Paso = doble: Allegro (ritmico e capriecioso)

Sicelo Christopher Njapha is a 4th year BMus student at Stellenbosch University Music Department, under the tutelage of Babette Roosenschoon, specialising in cello performance. Chris only started formal music lessons at the age of 15 and played violin for two years before switching to the cello being taught by Nigel Fish at the Durban Music School. In Stellenbosch he has received masterclasses from David Cohen (2019), Alexander Buzlov (2018) and Norman Fischer (2017). In 2019, he attended a Summer Music Course in Semmering, Austria, ISA 19-Internationale Sommerakademie and had masterclasses with Miklos Perenyi, Xenia Jankovic, Jerome Pernoo and Reinhard Latzko. He is currently principal cellist of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) and member of the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra.

Elna van der Merwe was voltydse begeleier en deeltydse klavierdosent aan die Konservatorium van die Universiteit Stellenbosch tot 2001. Sedertdien is sy ad hoc-pianis en gesogte gesamentlike kunstenaar vir sowel plaaslike as internasionale kunstenaars soos Michelle Breedt (mezzo-sopraan), Douglas Masek (saksofoon), Maria Kliegel (tjello) en Susan Milan (fluit). Elna studeer klavier en orrel aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch en wen verskeie toekennings, stipendia en kompetisies. Sy tree as solis saam met verskeie nasionale orkeste op. Plaaslike instrumentaliste en sangers saam met wie sy gereeld optree is Zanta Hofmeyr, Zanne Stapelberg, die Suid-Afrikaanse Soprane, Niël Rademan, Maria du Toit, Liesl Stolz, Peter Martens en Suzanne Martens. In Mei 2011 tree sy as pianis saam met Zanta Hofmeyr in Malta op. Sy begelei ook die Libertaskoor tydens hul toere na België en die VSA. Sy is bekroon deur SAMRO uit dankbaarheid en in erkenning vir haar voortreflike diens as begeleier by die Oorsese Beurskompetisies. Sedert 1990 het sy in al die Unisa Internasionale Kompetisies vir sang, strykers en, meer onlangs, ook vir fluit en klarinet, as begeleier opgetree. As veelsydige pianis het sy saam met Zorada Temmingh as deel van The Blondes- klavierduet in twee klavierverwerkings opgetree by al die groot kunstefeeste in Suid-Afrika. In 2011 het The Blondes optredes in Israel en Londen gehad. Sy het baie CD’s en DVD’s saam met verskillende kunstenaars opgeneem en het op die beoordelaarspaneel van verskeie musiekkompetisies gedien.