Albert Combrink completed his MMUS in Piano Performance at Natal University, South Africa under Isabella Stengel, as well as three UNISA Licentiates: Piano Performance, Piano Accompaniment and Teaching (Cum Laude). He has received master classes from international pianists such as Graham Johnson and Martino Tirimo. He also studied in Germany under Prof. Bernd Goetzke at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover.

He was a finalist in the National ATKV Music Competition. Other prizes include the UND Performer’s Prize, UND Composer’s Competition, the Young Natal Chamber Music Competition, and the Durban Youth Concerto Festival. Albert also studied the French Horn and singing at Natal University under Angelica Novak and Colleen Philp and took part in SAMRO’s week-long master classes with the late tenor Deon van der Walt.

He made his concerto debut with the NPO at 18. Since then he has performed regularly at major centers throughout the country. He performs as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician, in both classical and popular music fields. Recitals include various concert societies throughout the country and partnerships with instrumentalists such as cellist Peter Martens.

He has extensive recording experience, including Hindemith’s Piano Concerto “Four Temperaments” with the NPO and David Tidboald, through radio and television broadcasts (including BBC World) to the recent CPO recordings of works by Hofmeyr and Schnittke in which he was soloist on “prepared piano” and was reviewed in the international Gramophone Magazine.

He was repetiteur for the UCT Opera School as well as Cape Town Opera, performing also as orchestral pianist and harpsichordist in operatic productions.He was repetiteur for the Isango Portabello company’s “Magic Flute” which sold out in London’s West End and won the prestigious London Critic’s “Olivier Theatre Award”. With this company he had the chance to work with Sir Simon Rattle and BBC’s “The Face of Classical Music”, Charles Hazelwood.

As member of the Cape Town Tango Ensemble he has performed at all the major festivals in the country, with performers such as Mark Hoeben and Ina Wichterich. His work with the CT Tango Ensemble includes two CD’s, “El Tango En Africa” and “Tango Club”.

He has acted and recorded for the eTv show “Backstage” and “Stokvel” and been involved in various film projects. He has worked with directors such as Janice Honeyman, Jaco Bouwer and Marthinus Basson. Under director Fred Abrahamse he was assistant Music Director for The Assassins, winner of two Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.

As concert organiser and accompanist he has worked with a number of South African and international singers, including Prof. Virginia Davids, Hans van Heerden and Virginia Oosthuizen, to name only a few. Highlights with international artists include a concert tour with American soprano Judith Kellock of South African and American Contemporary Art Song. He was also repetiteur for British superstar Lesley Garret on her tour to South Africa.

He is a freelance pianist and total chocaholic.

Published 19.12 2010