The second 2004 WSS Winter season of the KZN Philharmonic will be launched on May 13. The season will run for seven weeks through to June 24. All concerts are held at 19h30 in the Durban City Hall.

The season's complete programme offers a superb line-up of South African and international artists with excellent music catering to all tastes. Ticket prices have remained constant and music lovers can save up to 20% on ticket prices by booking for five or more concerts. There are several booking and payment options available.

Internationally celebrated conductor Leslie B. Dunner makes a welcome return to the Durban stage for the first of three concerts on May 13. Pianist Boris Petrushansky, acclaimed for his creativity and vivacious personality, performs Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto, which has thrilled audiences with its unusual opening and many surprises. Other works include Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Sibelius’s Symphony No.1.

On May 20, Leslie B. Dunner conducts a programme that features two of the KZNPO's accomplished musicians. Husband and wife duo, violinist Elena Kerimova and cellist Boris Kerimov. perform Brahms's inimitable and profound Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger and Rachmaninov's subtle Symphony No.3 completes the evening's programme.

For his final concert of the season on May 27, conductor Leslie B Dunner leads a programme that opens with three distinctive and passionate works, Bernstein's festive Slava!, Ginastera's richly contrasting Variationes Concertantes and Liszt's engaging symphonic poem Orpheus. The second half of the programme showcases the talents of the KZNPO itself, as the musicians take centre stage with a performance of Lutoslawski's inventive Concerto for Orchestra.

On June 3, respected Dutch conductor Arjan Tien picks up the baton to conduct a concert which features sublime Norwegian mezzo-soprano Ingebjorg Kosmo who returns by popular demand to perform various arias, including Verdi’s Overture: La Forza del Destino and O don fatale (Don Carlos) and highlights from Massenet's Werther. The evening concludes with Dvorak's thoughtful and triumphant Symphony No. 8.

The orchestra’s accomplished resident conductor Lykele Temmingh will conduct the concert on June 10. World-renowned South African born pianist Anton Nel performs one of Beethoven's most popular works - the imaginative Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor". Featured in the second half of the programme are Elgar's enchanting Serenade for Strings and his intriguing Falstaff.

On the podium on June 17 will be German conductor Bernhard Gueller, lauded for his extraordinary musicianship and marvelous ability to communicate with musicians. Soloist is acclaimed pianist Nikolaus Lahusen, who hails from Durban's sister-city Bremen, performing Chopin's elaborate and elegant Piano Concerto No. 2. Other work are Weber’s Euryanthe Overture and Brahms Symphony No. 3.

The final concert of the season on June 24 features the eminent conductor and pianist Justus Frantz takes to the stage with his accomplished pianist son, Christopher Tainton. The light and comic Overture to The Impresario is a fitting prologue to the vivacity of Mozart's Concerto for Two Pianos, while Tchaikovsky's brilliant Symphony No. 4.

Enquiries or bookings on 031 369 9404 or email: kznposub@iafrica.com More information at www.kznpo.co.za