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Widely regarded as one of South Africa’s busiest and most innovative concert pianists CHRISTOPHER DUIGAN has maintained a busy performing career since his professional debut with Cape Town Symphony Orchestra in 1991. He has performed extensively with all leading South African orchestras including the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic, Cape Philharmonic and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestras in a repertoire of more than 25 concerti. In 2006 he was invited to appear with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic in the opening concert of their World Symphony Series Winter Season. In recital he has achieved a popular following through his innovative presentation and programming, featuring a broad and eclectic taste in music.  His crossover presentations combining virtuoso and popular classical repertoire with jazz transcriptions, ragtime, tango and film music have been particularly enthusiastically received.

 

He is an active ensemble musician and accompanist and regularly partners sopranos Angela Gilbert and Bronwen Forbay, baritone Federico Freschi, and a host of soloists from the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra including the Kerimov Trio.

 

Studies at the University of Natal with Isabella Stengel, the University of Cape Town with Lamar Crowson and Albie van Schalkwyk lead to postgraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with Brazilian virtuoso Arnaldo Cohen.  In Manchester he was awarded the Professional Performer’s Diploma and won first prize in the prestigious RNCM Recital Prize for Pianists.  In addition he has received the UNISA Overseas Scholarship Competition (1994), Crossley/Kramer Scholarships for International Study from UCT, 1st prize in the Adolph Hallis Piano Competition (1996), awards for the best South African pianist in the UNISA International Piano Competition (1996) and the Cape Town Symphony’s Joseph Lan Award for his performance of the Bartok Piano Concerto No 3 (1994). He has participated in master classes at Dartington Summer School with Stephen Kovacevich and at the Mozarteum, Salzburg. 

 

International performances include those in London at St Martins in the Field, St James’- Piccadilly, South Africa House and at the Edinburgh Festival 2001 and 2003 where he was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. Many of his live performances have been broadcast on SABC Radio and TV and his CD recordings are regularly aired on ClassicFM and Fine Music Radio.

 

In March 2007 he shared the stage with the cream of South African pianists for the return of Steinway and Sons to South Africa. Engagements for 2009 include recitals at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town and Endler Hall in Stellenbosch and concerto performances with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Based in KwaZulu-Natal he is committed to promoting classical music locally and further a field. As producer and impresario he is the director of the widely acclaimed MUSIC REVIVAL, established in 1997. Annual events include the Concert Series at the Hilton Festival, the Franschhoek La Motte Classic Music Festival and performances by the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in the KZN, in addition to numerous recitals and chamber music performances throughout KZN, Johannesburg and in the Cape Winelands.