Music can tell beautiful stories. Through it, we experience emotions for which no words are needed. It can take us on the most wonderful adventures, right there on the red auditorium seats. Our own NWU-PUK Symphony Orchestra told the most breath-taking stories this Saturday in the Sanlam Auditorium during their Spectacular Symphonic Stories concert, made possible by NWU Potch Arts.
The orchestra was conducted by André Oosthuizen, currently also the conductor of the NWU Wind Band, the New Music Ensemble and co-conductor of the North-West Youth Orchestra. He completed his Master’s degree in flute performance at the NWU in 2014. First on the evening’s program was Peter and the Wolf, a musical symphony for children by the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. Every instrument ‘played’ a different character: the flute represented the bird, the bassoon was the grandfather, the French horns was the wolf and the strings represented the main character, Peter. The story was told and playfully depicted by the actor, De Klerk Oelofse (recently nominated for and ATKV Mediaveertjie: Best actor in a drama series, for his role as Lourens in Die Boekklub). Oelofse frequently stole the show with his own creative portrayal of each character.
The Pirates of the Caribbean suite was something both the audience and musicians thoroughly enjoyed. This modern favourite was composed by Klaus Badelt for the first film of the series, and the orchestra depicted the action, energy and dynamic of this famous pirate story with great success.
Then there was the story of Peter Pan, which every member of the audience’s inner-child remembers. James Newton Howard’s music for the 2003 film included every little bit of fantasy, magic and childlike joy found in Neverland. This soundtrack is an exceptionally beautiful one, for old and young, and a musical masterpiece. The audience also experienced the beautiful written story by J.M. Barrie, narrated by a well-known name and face in the classical music community, Dirkie Nell.
Life consists of stories, and music can make us experience this in a way that is impossible to describe. During the NWU-PUK Symphony Orchestra’s story symphonies, the audience was reminded of this, and they were captivated by each and every moment.
Written by: Rouxné van der Westhuizen
Photo: Tian du Preez