Open Your Eyes
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A first for Durban and a first for
South Africa.
A Symphonic Rock spectacular featuring the Gateway Philharmonic Orchestra (which
is a teaching /community orchestra) with rock ,vocalists and international guest
musicians. A fusion of orchestral, classical, rock, indigenous and vocal
elements combine to make a new and exciting musical style
| 1. Open your eyes (part1) Musical intro |
| 2. Tides of man (with Shawn Phillips) |
| 3. Breathe |
| 4. Songs of Breathing |
| 5. Tell Me |
| 6. Washed Away |
| 7. No more Secrets |
| 8. It's only Me |
| 9. Inside Out |
| 10. Open your Eyes (part2) |
Here are some photographs from the "open your eyes" show at the Gateway center in Durban South Africa with Shawn Phillips and the gateway philharmonic orchestra in 2003
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The Orchestra
As the oldest symphony orchestra in the country the Durban
City Orchestra was "rescued" in 2001 by the Gateway Theatre of
Shopping. Funding for Concerts at the center, which are offered free to the
public, provided the lifeline needed by this amateur and teaching orchestra and
in the name the GATEWAY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA was used for all concerts at the
center and in other areas in Durban. As the only platform for amateur and
student musicians to learn and perform varied orchestral repertoire in the
province, the orchestra gives musicians an essential platform from which to
learn different styles of music, and perform in public. Previously disadvantage
groups have the opportunity to play regularly.The Musicians
Under the dynamic and visionary artistic influence of
Conductor Philipp Maier the GPO has performed over 24 concerts in two years from
Classical to Rock. The trademark "eclectic" programme mix has
encouraged musicians of all ages to join. Ages range from 15 years to 82 years
and the musicians are comprised of ex -professional, student and amateur
players.The rhythm section boasts players with international experience. Top vocalists and soloists from around the country and overseas are invited to appear with the Orchestra.
"Open your Eyes" - A Symphonic Rock Spectacular
For the first time in South Africa and Durban, one concert
was held showcasing the versatility of an Orchestra and Band in a programme
of original and popular music. Written with the aim of combining rock and
orchestral elements, the music was composed by Philipp Maier and Cedric Vandenschrik and the programme embraced all styles of music. The inimitable and
visionary Shawn Phillips, international rock/folk icon was a guest at the
concert. Rock arrangements with classical motifs, instrumentals which featured
different sections of the orchestra and arrangements which featured indigenous
instruments combined with vocal soloists, have placed this Orchestra into a
musical category that was yet unexplored in South Africa.Think Pink Floyd at the Berlin Wall, think Led Zeppelin, think Toto's "Africa" and you begin to understand the "feel" and "style" of the music that was presented in this concert.
Philipp Maier, Conductor
Autumn at spalshy
By ailsa Windsor from "Going Places"
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Conductor Philipp Maier is taking the Gateway Philharmonic Orchestra to new highs
"On Sunday I was blown away yet again but this time by an entirely different genre - namely the Gateway Philharmonic Orchestra. combining the classic and pop cultures conductor Philipp Maier is taking the orchestra to new heights. For Sunday's performance he included Squeal's Dave Birch and his electric guitar, the voices of Cedric van den Schrick (all the way from Rome) and Melanie Roberts, and Chris Luke on Sax . The performance was sublime and nothing ever attempted by any South African orchestra. I was transported back to the 70s and Deep Purple's foray into the world of the classical music. The audience went wild wanting more ... and more they will definitely get this September when the orchestra will be performing its full-length classic / rock spectacular to Durban audiences - we were treated to but a snippet."
