The School of Music present Dreams and Fantasies
The School of Music is proud to present Dreams and Fantasies, a distinguished recital featuring Prof Tinus Botha (piano) and Prof Liesl van der Merwe (bassoon). This evocative programme invites audiences on a journey through the poetic and imaginative sound worlds of the Romantic period.
The afternoon opens with Camille Saint-Saëns’s Sonata for Bassoon and Piano in G major, Op. 168—a late work of elegance, wit, and lyrical balance. Two charming pieces by Edward Elgar follow: the expressive Romance and the beloved Salut d’Amour, both displaying the composer’s characteristic warmth and refinement.
The recital continues with a series of Romantic piano works that explore the depth and delicacy of the era’s expressive language. Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturne in F major, Robert Schumann’s Arabeske in C major, Franz Schubert’s Impromptu in A-flat major, and Alexander Scriabin’s Nocturne for the Left Hand each offer unique insights into the Romantic imagination—from meditative lyricism to virtuosic brilliance.
The programme concludes with Schumann’s Fantasiestücke, Op. 73, a set of three movements that combine tender introspection with fiery passion, bringing the recital to a resonant and uplifting close.
Dreams and Fantasies promise a Sunday afternoon of musical eloquence and expressive depth, showcasing two of South Africa’s foremost musicians in an inspired collaboration that celebrates the enduring beauty of the Romantic period.