Leo de Maria

Johannesburg Musical Society showcases some of the world’s most exciting young artists in the new year.

For 2026, the Johannesburg Musical Society has put together a season of 8 concerts that showcase some of the world’s most exciting young artists from countries as far-flung as Spain, Bulgaria, Russia, Azerbaijan, the UK – and also South Africa. These specially curated concerts shine the spotlight mostly on pianists – with a sprinkling of string players to leaven the mix. All the artists have won multiple awards at important international competitions and all are sought-after soloists and chamber musicians with busy international careers. The most senior – Bulgarian Ludmil Angelov – is internationally acclaimed as both an exponent of Chopin and as a renowned pedagogue.

The 2026 series opens on 18 January with British pianist Alexander Ullmann (First Prize Winner of the Liszt International Competition) playing a programme of Grieg and Liszt. The concerts continue in March (Ludmil Angelov), April (UNISA First Prize winner Leo de Maria), June (violinist Elvin Ganiyev), and August (pianist Zlata Chochieva, whose debut in New York’s Carnegie Hall was a sold-out event!).

In October, the very fine Odeion String Quartet will play a concert together with Canadian pianist Jean-Philippe Sylvestre. There will also be concerts in September and November, with details still to be announced.

BECOME A SUBSCRIBER : As usual, there is a much-reduced price for subscribers to the entire season. The JMS subscription works out at just R225 per concert and includes a free programme at each concert, plus the convenience of a permanent seat for the entire season.

Tickets for single concerts at the cost of R375 are available online at Quicket.

For convenience, all concerts take place on Sunday afternoons at 15.00 in the Linder Auditorium, Wits Education Campus, where there is secure parking and where tea, coffee, wine and snacks are available.

For more details including pics, bios and programmes, visit the JMS website at www.jms.org.za or call Avril on 082 920 5216 if you have any queries.

Dr Avril Rubenstein
info@jms.org.za
082 920 5216
Johannesburg Musical Society
http://www.jms.org.za