Novo Duo is a Cape Town based saxophone and piano ensemble specialising in classical and contemporary repertoire. Formed in 2021, the duo brings together saxophonist Josie McClure and pianist Seung-Ree Lee, two friends united by a shared passion for collaboration and exploration of the expressive potential of their instruments. This 60-minute programme presents a diverse range of works that trace the development of the saxophone-piano repertoire across different periods and styles.
The programme moves between contemporary Japanese, early twentieth-century French, and South African composition, highlighting both lyrical depth and virtuosic interplay. Yoshimatsu’s Fuzzy Bird Sonata opens the concert with its energetic rhythmic drive, colourful textures, and moments of quiet introspection. Milhaud’s Scaramouche adds playful vitality, while Borne’s Fantaisie Brillante on themes from Carmen showcases dazzling technical brilliance. Fernande Decruck’s Sonata in C-sharp appears later in the programme, offering rich harmonic language and expressive lyricism. The duo also performs the work Turbulence by award-winning South African composer Owen Dalton, expanding the sonic possibilities of the saxophone and piano duo. Matitia’s The Devil’s Rag brings the programme to a light-hearted, jazz-influenced close.
Several of these works - such as Fuzzy Bird Sonata, the Decruck Sonata, and Bozza’s Aria - hold sentimental value, having featured in the duo’s debut concert. Above all, this programme reflects the music the duo deeply loves and aims to share with audiences, offering both accessibility and artistic depth.
Production Credits
About the Artists
Josie McClure is a South African saxophonist based in Cape Town/Stellenbosch.
She holds two Master’s degrees in classical saxophone performance (both
cum laude), from Stellenbosch University and, more recently, the
Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag. Her research focused on exploring
South African art music through collaborative commissions with local
composers, culminating in the creation of The South African Saxophone
Catalogue - a growing digital archive dedicated to documenting works for
saxophone by South African composers. Her research and studies were
generously supported by Stichting De Zaaier (NL) and the Skye Foundation (ZA), respectively.
As a soloist, Josie has performed with the Cape Town Philharmonic
Orchestra, the Namibian National Symphony Orchestra, Royal
Conservatoire The Hague Saxophone Ensemble, and the Free State
Symphony Orchestra. She has received several awards, including prizes
from the Dubai Yamaha Scholarship Competition, the Mabel Quick Overseas
Competition, the International Woodwind Competition, and Fine Music
Radio.
Her artistic development has been enriched through masterclasses and
lessons with renowned saxophonists such as Lars Niederstrasser, Raaf
Hekkema, Arno Bornkamp, and Rob Buckland.
Josie enjoys collaborating with other musicians and composers on various
projects and compositions. She is passionate about the promotion of
South African music for saxophone, as well as contributing to the growth
of the classical saxophone in South Africa.
Josie is a JLV Paris Ligature brand ambassador. She is currently freelancing, lecturing saxophone at Stellenbosch University and pursuing her PhD.
Seung-Ree Lee began her piano studies at Stellenbosch University under
Professor Luis Magalhães in 2016. She completed her BMus and BMus (Honours) cum laude in 2020 and received her master’s degree (cum laude) in solo piano in March 2025.
She has participated in various competitions and festivals, including as a semifinalist in the 2023 International MANSH Piano Competition and a finalist in the 2021 Mabel Quick Overseas Bursary Competition. She has also received masterclasses from renowned pianists such as Boris Berman, Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Aviram Reichert, Gottlieb Wallisch, Emanuil Ivanov, and Albert Mamriev.
In 2023, Seung-Ree joined Cape Town Opera as a Judith Neilson Young Artist pianist, gaining hands-on experience in the world of opera. During her time with the company, she worked on productions including Tosca, Gianni Schicchi & Suor Angelica, Lucia di Lammermoor, David Kramer’s Orpheus McAdoo, and My Fair Lady.
With a strong interest in both solo and collaborative performance, she continues to explore diverse musical opportunities, engaging with a wide range of repertoire and performance settings.
- Venue: Beethoven Room
- Location: Rhodes Music Department
- Ticket price: ZAR 150.00
- Programme type: The Fringe
- Genre: Music
- Duration: 65 minutes
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Ages:
ALL AGES
