1st South African Galway Flute Festival - UCT Flute Faculty Concert

A special evening presented by truly gifted flautists and musicians at the Baxter Hall!

As part of the Flute Festival, the UCT Flute Faculty presented a flute concert of immense quality. The flautists, Gabrielle von Dürckheim (principal flautist of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra), Liezl Stoltz (lecturer at UCT) and Bridget Rennie Salonen (lecturer at UCT) each gave their own special individual performances, amazing the audience and me!!

Gabrielle performed the Martinu “Trio for Flute, Viola and Piano” with a beautiful and sensitive tone. Phrases were played with precise control and breathing. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the players and appreciated the attention to detail in the music. 

Liezl performed South African pieces written for flute by Peter Klatzow, Alexander Johnson and Hendrik Hofmeyr. Excellent and flawless finger technique, beautiful and some haunting phrasing and superb breath control. I never knew the flute was capable of those techniques and sounds!! The solo piece by Hendrik Hofmeyr “Marimba for flute solo” was truly mesmerizing and performed with absolute accuracy.

Bridget played as part of the Chameleon Trio and they performed works by Piazzolla, McLachlan, Beethoven and Doppler. She played with such sincerity, musicality and produced an intimate tone. The chemistry between all the players was a joy to witness and one could sense teamwork, each member contributing to serve the sole purpose of the evening: the art of music!! 

I enjoyed every moment of this special concert and can’t wait for the next one! I feel blessed to know I am able to also play such a beautiful instrument! :-)

Thomas

Visit my Website at Thomas' Flute for more information

Thomas, the Flute Player.

As a freelance musician, I am able to use all my skills and talents to form part and experience different venues in the music world.

I am:

1. A performer

• performing background music at events; such as weddings, special functions (dinners, private birthday parties, etc.) as well as corporate functions.
• collaborate with other artists or musicians to form part of an ensemble. Examples of projects I have been involved in and initiated,  are cabarets such as "Psalms van 'n Huisvrou" with singer and writer Marthie Nel Hauptfleisch, contemporary shows such as "Unvoiced" with pianist Albert Combrink and guitarist Johan Liebenberg, and classical recitals such as "The 3B's: Lost and Transcribed" with pianist and poet Lara Kirsten. 
• orchestral player - playing the piccolo and the flute.

2.  A teacher

• I have been a teacher since 2002. I have been teaching privately as well as working as a full-time teacher at various schools. 
• I have been teaching individually as well as in groups. Individually, I have (and still am) taught the flute, recorder, fife and the piccolo. With group classes, I have taught general class music, arts and culture, theory/history of music, aural training, as well as instrumental ensembles and orchestras.

3. Recording artist

• Having the experience of being in a recording studio, I have recorded my first of many CD's, "Unvoiced". Please visit my Soundcloud to listen to tracks of the CD. The CD is available for purchase through me privately or at Upbeat Music in Sea Point, Cape Town.

It has been such a privilege working with so many great artists and musicians in my life, and I am truly grateful being a part of so many special projects and events. 

www.thomasflute.com

www.facebook.com/cptfluteplayer

Testimonial - Wedding at Clouds Estate

Dear Thomas

I just wanted to write and thank you for all your efforts regarding the recent wedding at Clouds Estate.

The music you supplied was, quite simply, sublime - and the happy couple were thrilled.

Although this was the first time we made use of your services, we were very impressed. We would definitely recommend you again without hesitation.

Kind regards,
Brendon Bairstow-Klopper.
Clouds Estate - Stellenbosch

Celine Dion's return to Las Vegas

Celine Dion is back at Las Vegas. Her new show was premiered on the 15th of March, at the Colloseum at Ceaser's Palace. It seems to me that this new show will run for the next three years and the dates and times for the concert are already available on the site http://www.celinedion.com/return-las-vegas

As I can gather from photos and reviews, Celine's new show has a more "intimate" feeling. She has got a band and full orchestra of 31 musicians, gorgeous gowns, stunning visuals and apparently performing her greatest hits. Where her previous Las Vegas show "A New Day" was inspired by Cirque du Soleil, this show "is more likely to rekindle the memories of Frank Sinatra". Songs that are performed are some of her power ballads like "Where does my heart beat now", "My heart will go on" and "Because you loved me". She includes a Michael Jackson tribute, hits from the 1970's, movie themes, a duet with herself, a duet with a pre-recorded Stevie Wonder and the Brel song, "Ne me quitta pas". You can visit the site http://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/music/2011/03/new-las-vegas-show-dawns-celine-dion for more information regarding the show's content.

If you are in the area in the next three years, make sure you catch her live cause i think it's a chance of a lifetime!

Adele's "Someone like you"

"Someone like you" is a powerful new song by the English singer and songwriter Adele.

The song is from her second CD, called "21". The song was released in January 2011, and has since raced to the charts. It has been the longest reigning number one single in the UK of the decade so far.

Adele performed the song live at the 2011 Brit Awards. Please do yourself a favor and follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQIQ-1vpWfs&feature=fvwrel

A strong voice, beautiful phrasings and breath control, so much feeling and what an awesome performance!


                                  

The controversial Lady Gaga...?

For so long the public have discussed Lady Gaga and the opinions seems to vary widely...


Why?

When last was there a pop singer that people could talk about in such depth,trying to analyze an artist and their craft? An example could be Madonna, as she is also a controversial pop artist? Think back to when Madonna just started in the eighties. Her exposed belly was just TOO MUCH!! (what, a naked belly?? - not that!). She continued to challenge the conservative ideas of what a pop singer should do. She changed her look for every project she put her mind to, even though it was risky. She ventured into all possible arts: from an actress, a performer/dancer, a model, from stage to film (Andrew Lloyd Webber;s Evita), an author http://www.absolutemadonna.com/books/ and a singer.

Look at Madonnna today, she has made history in the music industry (in the same league as Michael Jackson), creating fashion trends, creating human awareness amongst people (sometimes challenging political leaders and questioning their motives) and she created a legend.

Today, Lady Gaga is pushing the buttons of all people. Yes, she too is challenging TODAY'S conservative thoughts of what a pop singer should do (but viewing numerous interviews of her, I realized that that is just who she is?). She burst onto the pop scene with numerous hit singles, surprised all with unique outfits and staging of shocking/controversial performances. Is this not reminiscent of how Madonna started?

If you do not know anything about Lady Gaga, please do yourself a favour and read her biography at
http://www.ladygaga.com/default.aspx

"It’s been a while since a new pop artist has made her way in the music industry the old-fashioned/grass roots way by paying her dues with seedy club gigs and self-promotion. This is one rising pop star who hasn’t been plucked from a model casting call, born into a famous family, won a reality TV singing contest, or emerged from a teen cable TV sitcom. “I did this the way you are supposed to. I played every club in New York City and I bombed in every club and then killed it in every club and I found myself as an artist. I learned how to survive as an artist, get real, and how to fail and then figure out who I was as singer and performer. And, I worked hard.” - Lady Gaga

I am not comparing Lady Gaga to Madonna. I am simply questoning why are people trying to judge Lady Gaga like they judge/d Madonna?

Why do we always expect the worst from a new commer / unknown artst simply because they "challenge" convention by being true to themselves?

Please comment on this blog if you have something to add, I would appreciate your opinion!

Tygervalley Wedding Expo

I will be playing at the Tygervalley Wedding Expo next weekend, everyday (27, 28 and 29 August). Please visit my gig guide on my website for the times:
"http://www.thomasflute.com/gig-guide.php"