Young Piano Virtuoso, Isaac van der Merwe to Perform Special Fundraising Recital at The Baxter

Cape Town’s classical music community will have the opportunity to experience one of South Africa’s most exciting young musical talents when pianist Isaac van der Merwe takes to the stage at The Baxter Concert Hall on 17 July for a special fundraising recital in support of the iconic theatre.

At just 23 years old, Van der Merwe has already built an impressive reputation through competition victories, orchestral performances and appearances at leading music festivals. Audiences can look forward to a programme that spans some of the most celebrated works in the piano repertoire, featuring music by Mozart, Debussy, Berg and Rachmaninoff. The recital promises an evening of technical brilliance, emotional depth and musical storytelling that will appeal to both seasoned classical enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The event arrives at an important moment for Cape Town’s arts sector. As one of the city’s most significant cultural institutions, The Baxter has long served as a platform for emerging and established performers while providing invaluable performance opportunities for students and young artists. Van der Merwe, currently completing his Honours degree in music performance at the University of Cape Town, is among a new generation of musicians whose artistic development has been closely linked to venues such as The Baxter.

Fresh from participating in masterclasses across London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna, the young pianist continues to attract attention as one of the country’s leading classical performers. His decision to stage this fundraiser reflects a commitment to ensuring that future generations of artists continue to benefit from world-class performance spaces in Cape Town.

The recital takes place at The Baxter Concert Hall on Friday, 17 July 2026 at 6:30pm. Tickets are priced at R250, with all proceeds supporting The Baxter Theatre’s ongoing artistic and educational programmes. An exceptional evening of music and a worthy cause make this one of the city’s standout cultural events this winter.