mission

We present classical music concerts in numerous and often unexpected settings. Private homes, churches, restaurants and wine cellars play host to our performances. These performances often include a wide variety of music that reach beyond the core classical repertoire. We introduce the music, contextualising that we are about to play, offering  personal insight for both both new and established audiences.  The aim is to create an enjoyable, informative and enlightening experience through the promotion of quality live music performance.   Directed by pianist Christopher Duigan, Music Revival Concerts are presented regularly in a number of centres across South Africa. We also seek to create new collaborations between musicians,  and artists in other disciplines, and are particularly interested in including food and wine in our events for the audience to enjoy! 

artists 

Most concerts feature pianist and Steinway Artist Christopher Duigan in a collaborative or solo role.  As director and producer Christopher's presence in every concert ensures a continuos thread of style, format and standard.

venues

While many concerts take place in Christopher's home studio in Pietermaritzburg, monthly concerts are also presented in other centers in KZN.  A major feature on the Music Revival calendar are the music weekends in Franschhoek, the concert series at the Hilton Arts Festival, and performances by the KZN Philharmonic in the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.

music

As classical musicians much of the repertoire in the concerts are classical by nature. Elements of a wide range from jazz, ragtime, tango,  film music and popular styles also are featured in varied programmes.

RECENTLY ...

'Christmas', a concert  presented in association with  Parklane SUPERSPAR and KZN Philharmonic Orchestra  featured the Drakenberg Boys Choir, KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, PMB Children’s Choir and soloists including soprano Bongiwe Madlala, Christopher Duigan (piano), Christopher Cockburn (organ), Joanna Frankel (violin) and Boris Kerimov (cello) .  The KZN Philharmonic was conducted by American Daniel Walshaw.  What a superb evening!  Here are pics by Jonathan  Burton  showing the splendid City Hall, Pietermaritzburg and organ.  Thanks to  Kevin Lidell and his team at Big Beat for the fantastic lighting.

We recently celebrated Music Revivals' 17th Birthday with  A GRAND SOIREE featuring James Grace (guitar), The KZNPO Principals String Quartet and Christopher Duigan (piano). The concert included Boccherini -  Quintet for Guitar and String Quartet,  Brahms - Quintet in F minor for String Quartet and Piano,  Chopin - Romanza from Piano Concerto No 1 and was presented in Howick, Kloof and at the  Christopher's' home studio  in Pietermaritzburg.  You can see pics of the evening on our ONGOING PROJECTS page.

We hosted an evening promotion of Italian, French and Spanish Wines in association with Parklane SUPERSPAR.  Morgan Delclacloche from Great Domaines presented the wines, James Grace played Spanish guitar music and James, Chris and Shaun prepared the Spanish-themed meal including tapes and paella for the select group of invited guests. Kayla-Anne Osborn from Traffords prepared the dessert.  This dinner, on the verandah of Casa Mexicana,  on a beautiful warm summer evening brought together all the elements that we love : music, food and wine. The pictures were taken by the gifted  young  photographer Jonathan  Burton.

The Symphony in the City : Organ Symphony was a sell-out success. A capacity audience enjoyed the KZN Philharmonic and soloists together with the magnificent Pietermaritzburg  City Hall pipe organ. Featured in the concert are KZNPO Concert-master Joanna Frankel in Maurice Ravel's 'Tzigane' and Barcelona-based saxophonist David Salleras in three 'nuevo-tango' compositions.  Christopher Duigan, who has been collaborating with Salleras on numerous projects for over two years,  joined him at the piano.  Christopher Cockburn, who has a long association with the City Hall organ, was be the soloist in the 'Organ' Symphony with Jeremy Silver on the podium.

Recent highlights include nine concerts at the Witness Hilton Arts Festival. The largest arts festival in the region, The Music Revival Concert Series is now an important component of the Festival. The Concert Series, now in its 11th year, was sponsored by Parklane SUPERSPAR.  Two free concerts were sponsored by Marriott.  Performers included spanish saxophonist David Salleras, Irish London-based violinist Darragh Morgan, the KZNPO Principals String Quartet, baritone Federico Freschi,  James Grace (guitar)  - who introduced young guitarist Chloe Murphy (pictured)  in 'Two Guitars', Latin jazz by Neil Gonslaves (piano) and Demi Fernandez (guitar) pus a unique performance for narrator and piano for 'Sparky's Magic Piano' with Anthony Stonier and Christopher Duigan.

Rehearsals and a capacity audience in the Hilton College Chapel for "Songs We Love". (below)

A select group of independent musicians are contracted to  perform regularly for the Music Revival concerts.  This core of musicians creates a collaborative and co-operitive congeniality in concert.  This is very much part of the Music Revival concept.

The artists are based in various centers in South Africa and internationally. The combination of performance excellence together with repeated engagements establishes a wonderful relationship between the performer and audience.

View the artists page →

Pietermaritzburg

35 Montgomery Drive

Our principal venue in KZN is the home of Christopher Duigan in Pietermaritzburg. An intimate space for recitals, chamber music concerts and occasional gourmet dinner evenings,  the venue seats 40 persons and boasts two fine concert grand pianos. Guests enjoy wine,  coffee and other refreshments with every concert. On certain evening performances a light meal is served before  the performances, prepared by Christopher himself.

Kloof 

St Agnes Church

The historic St Agnes Church in Kloof is the venue for a monthly concert - usually the last Tuesday or Thursday of the month.  Situated in Abellia Road the venue provides easy and convenient  access.  Refreshments are served at interval.

Franschhoek

NG Church & Cafe Bon Bon

Music Revival's Festivals in May and October are a highlight. The historic NG Church in central Franschhoek plays host to classical recitals.  A fine grand piano and lively acoustic make this venue, where audiences are seated in the 'round', a popular destination  Cafe Bon Bon at La Petite Dauphine hosts spectacular dinner and lunch events in the Studio for up to 90 persons.

Tatham Art Gallery

A popular venue in Pieteramriztburg is the Tatham Art Gallery, one of seven major art galleries, or museums, in South Africa. Concerts presented in association with the Friends of the Tatham Art Gallery (FOTAG)  take place in the main gallery where the fine collection of artwork adorns the walls.  Many of these concerts are for fundraising purposes for the gallery.  The Cafe Tatham is usually open before and after for fine coffees, or meals before a concert.

City Hall, Pietermaritzburg 

Music Revival in association with Parklane SUPERSPAR proudly hosts the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra's performances  in Pietermaritzburg. This professional orchestra, based in Durban,  visits Pietermaritzburg three or four times per annum.  The historic City Hall in boasts one of the finest orchestral music acoustics in the country.  The orchestra concerts at this venue are always a major event and capacity audiences are always in  attendance.

Selected images for our gallery.