Ensemble Masana - Here Comes the Sun

The Pretoria-based Ensemble Masana has demonstrated a uniquely individual approach to their programme, showing the versatility of its musicians and their instruments. They have curated a programme to include works for the entire ensemble in its trio format, as well as separating into smaller ensembles throughout the course of the recital, and the individual works will delight the audience with their highly original and engaging musicality.

This performance will feature three works for flute, saxophone, and piano trio: Jazz Vignettes by Sylvia Hazlerig (1934), Epitaphe a Jean Harlow by Charles Koechlin (1867-1950), and the Trio no. 1 by Russell Peterson (1969). Duo works include those for saxophone and piano by Claude Debussy (1862-1918) and Robert Muczynski (1929-2010), for flute and saxophone by Nicole Chamberlain (1977), and flute and piano by Herman Beeftink (1953) and Raffaele Galli (1824-89).

Join us at Shed& Silo Country Restaurant at Norton’s Home Estate, Benoni on Sunday, February 2^nd, at 3 PM for an afternoon in the company of the world’s most beautiful chamber music.

If you want to enjoy a delectable lunch at Shed and Silo Country Restaurant before the concert, we highly recommend making a reservation.

Meet the Performers

Handri Loots has held the position of the principal piccolo in the PACT Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra in Johannesburg and is a founder member of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.  She is the guest principal flute of the FSSO. An enthusiastic chamber musician, Handri also has a keen interest in early music and performs on the baroque flute with Ensemble Fons Partita in South Africa and continues to have masterclasses with European early music specialists.

Rikus Coetsee competed in competitions both locally and abroad, and is actively involved in orchestras, ensembles, festivals and community projects. He performed as a soloist with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018, as well as at the South African Saxophone Symposium in 2019. Passionate about teaching, Rikus began his teaching career in 2016 at various schools in Stellenbosch and has been a music teacher at Pretoria Boys High School since 2021, where he has led an international music tour in 2023 and served as musical director for several projects.

Active as soloist and ensemble player, Mareli Stolp nurtures a keen interest in new music and regularly collaborates with South African composers. Recent performance highlights include the world premiere of South African composer Clare Loveday’s You will find your people here (2022) at the Centre for the Less Good Idea in Johannesburg (the performance was repeated at the Venice Biennale in September 2023); solo and ensemble performances at the ISCM World Music Days in November 2023; and the world premiere of The New Covenant by Antoni Schonken, with Renette Bouwer and the UJ Choir in September 2023.