Articles

My year in pianos – 2013

2013-12-22T22:08:25+02:00

I have had the most successful and interesting year of music making. With it obviously comes a fair share of pianos, each with their own stories to tell. We pianists form intimate relationships with the instruments. We do not take our pianos with us to different venues, and often have no idea what we are about to encounter. So we learn to get to know them very quickly and make the best of what we find.

Here follows a short slection of some of the pianos I have played this year in almost 90 concerts.

Erin <a href=[read more…]

My year in pianos – 20132013-12-22T22:08:25+02:00

Goitsemang Lehobye – grabbing opportunities with both hands

2013-12-19T08:34:35+02:00

Goitsemang Lehobye (Soprano), winner of the 2013 Schock National Singing Competition Goitsemang Lehobye (Soprano), winner of the 2013 Schock National Singing Competition and the National Mimi Coertse Singing Competition

What strikes you about Goitsemang is her lovely personality, lively smile and engaging eyes. And then the voice hits you. One of the most beautiful voices imaginable, a plummy rich soprano  with a real spinto tang that sits as comfortably below Middle C as it does above Top C two Octaves above.

In a short career, Goitsmang has already had major successes that [read more…]

Goitsemang Lehobye – grabbing opportunities with both hands2013-12-19T08:34:35+02:00

Khanyiso Gwenxane – from Khayelitsha to the World Stage

2013-12-16T13:24:46+02:00

Khanyiso Gwenxane Khanyiso Gwenxane

Khanyiso’s story is one of those that shows the current artistic system in our country at work, in all its strengths and weaknesses.  He was born and raised in the township Khayelitsha. Even 20 years into South African democratic rule, the name conjures up images of poverty, apartheid-legacy living conditions and vast expanses of living conditions that are still an embarrassment to local and national government.

Khayelitsha Township, outside Cape Town, with a view of World Heritage Site Table Mountain in the background.[read more…]

Khanyiso Gwenxane – from Khayelitsha to the World Stage2013-12-16T13:24:46+02:00

Singing: It’s not Rocket Science, you know – Ifriky Tadadjeu Sokeng interviewed by Albert Combrink

2013-12-15T19:35:07+02:00

Singing: It’s not Rocket Science, you know – Ifriky Tadadjeu Sokeng interviewed by Albert Combrink

Ifriky Tadadjeu Sokeng Ifriky Tadadjeu Sokeng

A question often asked of Cameroonian Tenor Ifriky Tadadjeu Sokeng is: “So where did you learn to sing Opera?” I know. I asked him this myself. When we (white South Africans and others) think of East Africa perhaps we think of lions and quaint villages at best or civil war and famine at worst. But Opera?

Cameroon - a country of contrasts Cameroon – a [read more…]

Singing: It’s not Rocket Science, you know – Ifriky Tadadjeu Sokeng interviewed by Albert Combrink2013-12-15T19:35:07+02:00

Why do I cry for Madiba?

2013-12-07T09:06:17+02:00

Why do I cry for Madiba? Because a face we were taught to loathe and fear, turned out to be one filled with kindness, reconciliation and forgiveness. Because he transcended the HELL into which he was flung, and came out a hero. Not with revenge or guns blazing, but with a message of forgiveness Why do I cry for Madiba? Because a face we were taught to loathe and fear, turned out to be one filled with kindness, reconciliation and forgiveness. Because he transcended the HELL into which he was flung, and [read more…]

Why do I cry for Madiba?2013-12-07T09:06:17+02:00

Video: Kaddish (Ravel) – Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)

2013-11-09T16:49:44+02:00

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937): Kaddish: Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)

Recorded live at Erin Hall, Cape Town in “Reflections”, a Cello Meditation programme. Read more about the performance HERE:


Website: Sarah Acres – http://www.facebook.com/CellistInTheCity
Website: Albert Combrink – https://www.albertcombrink.com
Twitter: @albertcombrink  – https://twitter.com/albertcombrink

For similar music recorded at a meditation programme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y-oDfA-Y_0&list=PLxCpEk4IkEyHIGwewQlDOeLL91bdZtJFO

READ MORE ABOUT THIS WORK HERE:
https://www.albertcombrink.com/2009/09/22/kaddish-music-as-prayer/

Video: Kaddish (Ravel) – Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)2013-11-09T16:49:44+02:00

Video: Astor Piazzolla: Tanti anni prima (Ave Maria) arr. Cello & Piano

2013-11-09T15:53:44+02:00

Astor Piazzolla: Tanti anni prima (Ave Maria) arr. Cello & Piano from the soundtrack to the “Enrico IV” byMarco Bellocchio

Enrico_iv_film

 

Website: Sarah Acres – http://www.facebook.com/CellistInTheCity
Website: Albert Combrink – https://www.albertcombrink.com
Twitter: @albertcombrink

Read more about the original programme HERE

Sarah Acres Sarah Acres 

 
Video: Astor Piazzolla: Tanti anni prima (Ave Maria) arr. Cello & Piano2013-11-09T15:53:44+02:00

Video: Nacht und Träume D.827 (Franz Schubert) arr. Cello & Piano Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)

2013-11-09T15:13:54+02:00

Nacht und Träume D.827 (Franz Schubert) arr. Cello & Piano
Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)

Published in 1825 as Op.43 No 2, D.827 was composed in the winter of 1822/1823. It is remarkable in Schubert’s “Night Song” ouevre, and it remains one of the pinnacles of his output. Notoriously difficult to perform and deceptive in its simplicity, it makes a perfect transition to the cello.

Website: Sarah Acres – http://www.facebook.com/CellistInTheCity
Website: Albert Combrink – https://www.albertcombrink.com
Twitter: @albertcombrink

Nacht und Träume D.827 (Franz Schubert)
Text by Matthäus [read more…]

Video: Nacht und Träume D.827 (Franz Schubert) arr. Cello & Piano Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)2013-11-09T15:13:54+02:00

Video: Ntyilo Ntyilo (Stanislav Angelov & Albert Combrink)

2013-10-24T12:49:24+02:00

Ntyilo Ntyilo “Little Bird” (Allan Mzamo Silinga)

(South African Xhosa Song arranged in the Style of Piazzollla) perfromed by Stanislav Angelov (Bulgarian Accordionist) & Albert Combrink (South African Pianist) in the Tango-Duo Show “The Boer & The Bulgar” in the Theater of Alexander Bar, Cape Town.

Read more about the show HERE

Ntyilo Ntyilo “Little Bird” (Allan Mzamo Silinga): Sheet music, original Xhosa lyrics and English translation:

"Ntyilo Ntyilo" Sheet Music and original lyrics “Ntyilo Ntyilo” Sheet Music and original lyrics

I heard a sound from the [read more…]

Video: Ntyilo Ntyilo (Stanislav Angelov & Albert Combrink)2013-10-24T12:49:24+02:00

Video: Malaika (Stanislav Angelov & Albert Combrink)

2013-10-24T12:28:24+02:00

AlexanderCPTLogo

 

Malaika (Swahili Folk Song) perfromed by Stanislav Angelov (Bulgarian Accordionist) & Albert Combrink (South African Pianist) in the Tango-Duo Show “The Boer & The Bulgar” in the Theater of Alexander Bar, Cape Town

Read more about the show HERE:

More about the song “Malaika”

I grew up in Apartheid South Africa, and much of my South African musical heritage was lost on me – in my ignorance, or simply from never being in contact with it. I had heard of the wonderful South African singer Miriam Makeba, and [read more…]

Video: Malaika (Stanislav Angelov & Albert Combrink)2013-10-24T12:28:24+02:00

Audience Review

“The pianist with magic fingers”
Jordan Scot – Biz Lounge

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