FRANÇOIS DU TOIT

Acknowledged as one of South Africa’s leading concert pianists and musicians, FRANÇOIS DU TOIT is an Associate Professor of Piano at the University of Cape Town.  Receiving his early musical training from Merryl Preston, he went on to complete an Honours degree at the University of Cape Town, studying under the distinguished pianist and teacher, Laura Searle. Also holding diplomas up to Fellowship level from the Trinity College of Music, London, he studied for the Solistendiplom at the Hochschule für Musik und Theaterin Hannover, Germany, under the renowned pedagogue Berndt Goetzke.

During his period of study abroad he distinguished himself in several important international piano competitions, taking top prizes in the 1991 Hannover Music Competition, the 1992 Rotterdam and 1993 Marsala Internationals, and the 1994 International Maria Callas Competition in Athens.

Appearing as an acclaimed soloist with orchestras (both locally and abroad) since the age of fifteen, François du Toit was selected, while still a student at UCT, to accompany the former Cape Town Symphony Orchestra as soloist on its historic tour of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in 1988. He has over 30 concertos in his repertoire, ranging from Bach to Hendrik Hofmeyr and has performed with conductors including Bernhard Gueller, Victor Yampolsky, Omri Hadari, Alun Francis, Dawid de Villiers and Alexander Lazarev.  Since his days on the Music Faculty at the University of Potchefstroom he has been a member of The Potch Trio, and now also appears with Franklin Larey as the Ixopo Piano Duo.  He is constantly in demand as accompanist for visiting artists from overseas.  Francois’ first solo CD was released recently.

In between lecturing in Cape Town, Francois is often invited to give Masterclasses and to sit as juror for competitions throughout the country and abroad.