Mzansi Philharmonic to perform for the International Society of Contemporary Music’s World New Music Days Festival
The performance will be at Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg on 24 November 2023, at 6pm and will be conducted by Brandon Phillips, former resident conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets available through Quicket.
By CtyLife Arts Writer
National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi Philharmonic) will perform for the International Society of Contemporary Music’s (ISCM) World New Music Days festival concert at 6pm on 24 November 2023 at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. The concert will feature contemporary compositions by international composers, including a work by South African composer Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph.
Mzansi Philharmonic, which is South Africa’s flagship orchestra, will be conducted by Brandon Phillips, former resident conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
The 2023 ISCM World New Music Days (WNMD) festival will be hosted in South Africa by NewMusicSA, marking the 100th-anniversary edition of this historic celebration of music and creativity. The 10-day extravaganza will bring together over 100 composers from 50 countries, making it a global hub for new ideas, collaborations, and artistic fusions. With more than 70 groundbreaking new music compositions performed by an impressive line-up of over 200 musicians across 25+ events, WNMD 2023 will be the most significant assembly of contemporary music ever witnessed on the African continent.
“NewMusicSA has used this momentous occasion to extend our horizons,” said the organisation’s Chairperson Diale Mabitsela, “and we couldn’t be happier with the response we’re receiving. It is such an honour to have the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra perform for us in what we know will be a fantastic music experience, not only for our contemporary composers, but also for South African musicians and audiences.”
“We are pleased to promote contemporary music, in particular music that reflects South Africa’s heritage. Our country has a rich history of music making and composition, and collaborating with artists to bring these works to life is part of our mission. In addition, we are passionate about branding South Africa positively on global performance platforms such as the ISCM World New Music Days Festival,” said Bongani Tembe, the Mzansi Philharmonic Chief Executive and Artistic Director.
Since its inception in 1923, the World New Music Days has grown into one of the world’s premier contemporary art music festivals and has acted as a springboard for the careers of renowned composers such as Mauricio Kagel and György Ligeti.
Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph expressed her delight at the collaboration: “As a South African composer, it is wonderful to have one’s work performed by the country’s flagship Orchestra, Mzansi Philharmonic, on a South African stage with international presence.”
In addition to Zaidel-Rudolph’s Tempus Fugit, the programme will also feature Colour Sketches by South African composer Chris Palmer, Frostbitten by Voetmann and Suite for Burkina Electric and Orchestra by Ligeti.
Tickets for the concert are available through Quicket.