SA: Wits University to host inaugural Standard Bank Piano Festival

The festival will be held in the university’s intimate 180-seater venue, which is specifically designed for acoustic chamber music and features a world-class Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano, renowned for its exceptional tone.

With South Africa’s rich jazz piano tradition and the instrument’s European origins, having been invented in Italy around 1700, the festival will celebrate both jazz and classical music. It was officially launched on 22 February with an exclusive, invitation-only event featuring the award-winning Italian piano duo Spina & Benignetti. The duo performed a captivating programme of four hands on one piano, setting the stage for the main event in March.

The festival’s programme will open on 7 March with performances by acclaimed South African pianists Kyle Shepherd and Afrika Mkhize, each presenting a set that showcases their distinctive musical styles. On 8 March, celebrated pianist Nduduzo Makhathini will take the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable performance.

The festival will conclude on 9 March at 3.pm with two classical performances. The first will feature the Karlsruhe Concert Duo, comprising German musicians Dagmar Hartmann (piano) and Reinhard Armleder (cello). The final concert will present Berlin-based pianist Jan Gerdes, performing contemporary African piano compositions, including works by South African composers from his critically acclaimed recording, East – West – Central – South.

Curated by Carlo Mombelli, the festival has been made possible through the support of Standard Bank, with additional contributions from the Istituto Italiano di Cultura and the Goethe-Institut.

Bonga Sebesho, Standard Bank’s group head of sponsorships, highlighted the festival’s significance, noting that the featured artists, Afrika Mkhize (2012), Kyle Shepherd (2014), and Nduduzo Makhathini (2015), are past recipients of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Jazz.

“Standard Bank’s continued investment in the arts is reflected in this festival’s programme, which proudly features outstanding South African talent,” Sebesho said. “The awards have played a pivotal role in recognising and nurturing local artists, and we remain committed to providing platforms that celebrate and elevate artistic excellence.”

The festival is expected to become a key event on South Africa’s music calendar, celebrating the artistry and diversity of piano music across genres and cultures.

Tickets for the Wits Standard Bank Piano Festival are available via Webtickets.