The distinguished South African cellist ANMARI VAN DER WESTHUIZEN an Honours cum laude graduate of the University of Stellenbosch who is known throughout the country for her acclaimed concerto performances, also obtained the “Grosses Konzertdiplom” with distinction at the “Mozarteum”, Salzburg and the “Konzertexamendiplom” at the "Hochschule für Musik, Köln" working with Heidi Litschauer and Maria Kliegel respectively. She also has Performer's Licentiate and the Teachers' Licentiate from the University of South Africa, both with distinction.
She made her overseas concert debut in Salzburg in 1990. During her stay in Salzburg and Vienna from 1988 till 1996 she regularly appeared as soloist and chamber musician. In Vienna she was a member of the “Ensemble Music-on-Line” and the "Koehne Streichquartett, Wien," and regularly appeared at international festivals such as the "Wiener Festwochen", "Klangbogen Wien", "Festival di Nuova Consonanza , Rome ", "Catalonian Festival ,Spain" and the "Australian Festival of Chamber Music".
She also made several recordings for radio and for compact discs. A solo CD with Ilse Schumann includes two works that have been recorded for the first time, a solo sonata by E.Wellesz, the Austrian composer, and “Meanwhile” by R.Temmingh. The CD was met with enthusiasm in Austria and commended in the Austrian Magazine for New Music, Vienna.
Since 1996 she has been a part-time lecturer in cello at the College of Music, University of Cape Town and soon will take up the position as Senior Lecturer and cellist of the Odeion string quartet at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein. She still performs regularly as soloist and chamber musician in South Africa and abroad. During May 2007 Anmari gave the world premiere of Hendrik Hofmeyr’s cello concerto at the MIAGI Festival in Pretoria. During June 2007 Anmari was invited to take part in the “Summer festival for contemporary music” on the Faroe Islands where she performed with the Aldubaran Sinfonietta and played 3 solo cello concerts. She also played a concert of only contemporary music for solo cello in Vienna. Due to the success of these concerts, Anmari has been invited again.
Since 1999 Anmari is the conductor and director of the UCT String Ensemble. She is also the founder member of the “UCT Trio “, the “Collage ensemble, and the “I Grandi Violoncellisti” cello ensemble.
The SA composers Hubert du Plessis, Roelof Temmingh and Hendrik Hofmeyr, have respectively dedicated a Sonata for Solo Cello and a Cello Concerto, Meanwhile; Variations (2007) and a Celloconcerto (2006) to her. During June 1999 she gave the world premiere of the Austrian composer, Hannes Heher’s “Nachtmusik” for Cello and organ in Vienna.
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