The Wits Trio plays Brahms

The Wits Trio returns for their fifth concert since the Trio’s inauguration in 2012.

It is a much anticipated event that delivers an unforgettable music experience with talented Zanta Hofmeyr (violin), Maciej Lacny (cello), and Malcolm Nay (piano).

The Trio has become well-known throughout South Africa and receives requests to perform at Durban Music Society, Theatre on the Square’s lunch time concerts, as well as at Rhodes University. The two fiery, energetic men on cello and piano form superb bookends to the dulcet tones produced by Zanta Hofmeyr on the violin…

The Wits Trio started their chamber music circuit in 2012 and are premiering Brahms at the National Arts Festival 2016 with a complete Brahms programme including Piano Trio No. 3 in C minor Op. 101, Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8, Violin Sonata No 3 in D minor, Op. 108, Cello Sonata No 1 in E minor, Op. 38, a  sonata, written as “a homage to J.S, Bach” actually titled “Sonate für Klavier und Violoncello” and Piano Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87. The second trio (the C major) which will be performed at the Atrium, is the most symphonic of the three trios of Brahms. It has as its slow movement, one of the most ravishingly beautiful themes that Brahms ever penned. This much awaited programme is part of the annual 969 Festival that runs from 13-24 July showcasing the best shows from the National Arts Festival.

Enjoy a specially designed Italian classical meal at Picobella, Melville and catch a tuktuk to the Wits Atrium for a complete Sunday afternoon of entertainment.

Background on the Wits Trio

Zanta Hofmeyr graduated from the Juilliard School of Music in New York where she was a student of Dorothy Delay and Hyo Kang. After her New York debut in Carnegie Recital Hall (now Weil recital hall), she returned to South Africa in 1985.  Zanta teaches violin in Johannesburg and at the University of Pretoria. She often acts as string coach for youth orchestras and has been on the faculty of chamber music festivals in the USA and Stellenbosch, SA. She performs regularly as soloist with symphony orchestras in South Africa and was lauded for her performances of the Britten, Beethoven and Bruch concerti. In 2016 she performed the 10 Beethoven sonatas with Bulgarian pianist Ilia Radoslavov touring SA and the US. She has several recordings with different artists and has just released a new CD of French violin sonatas.

Maciej Lacny was born in Cracow (Poland) in 1977. He graduated from the F. Chopin High School (1995) and the Cracow Conservatory of Music (2001) in Prof. Z.Lapinski’s cello class. He also obtained a pedagogical diploma from the Cracow conservatory of music.Between1995-1999 Maciej performed in many concerts around Europe with the Cracow Quartet in Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He is married to a South African flautist and living in Johannesburg. Maciej is currently co-principal cello of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and he has played in several recitals with acclaimed pianist, Malcolm Nay.

Malcolm Nay is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber pianists and accompanists in South Africa. After graduating with a BMus from Wits University where he studied with Pauline Nossel and Isabella Stengel, he travelled on scholarships to America, where he studied with Bela Siki. Malcolm was the recipient of numerous prizes at several international piano competitions, including the prize for the most talented South African pianist at the 1st Unisa International Piano Competition and 2nd prize at the Montevideo International Piano Competition. As a soloist, he has appeared with most of South Africa’s major orchestras and is remembered especially for performances, in Gauteng, of the Mozart concertos, which he conducted from the keyboard.

He is also sought after adjudicator at prestigious music competitions throughout the country and he continues to perform extensively at the larger festivals in South Africa. He is currently Associate Professor at WitsMusic, Wits School of Arts (WSOA).

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