Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra here to support regional orchestras, not compete with them, says Bongani Tembe

The Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director of the newly formed national orchestra spoke at the launch of a new season of the orchestra, a tour of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

The Mansi Mational Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO ) is not here to compete nor threaten the existence of the existing regional orchestras in the country,. If anything it is here to support them and collaborate with them in identifying new talent that can be roped into the mainstream of the art form. The new orchestral will also play the important role of advocacy for all orchestral outfits in the country.

This is the message that Bongani Tembe who is at the helm of the newly formed Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra told the media on Thursday last week at a media event held in the foyer of Linder Auditorium, at the University of Witwatersrand in Parktown. The event was also used as a platform to announce the forthcoming national tour by the orchestra, the first such tour since the orchestra was formed in July 2022.

This announcement comes against the background of criticism of the formation of Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra by especially those from the ranks of the regional orchestras. Regional orchestras for years received funds through the National Arts Council, from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Those funds were ring-fenced for that purpose. But following a consultation process in the revision of the White Paper (of 1996), which has since been adopted by Cabinet and has gone through Parliament, the formation of a national orchestra is one of the results of that process. That resulted in fears among those running the regional orchestras that all the funding would now go towards paying for the running of the new baby on the scene, and the existing regional orchestras would now play second fiddle to the new national orchestra when it comes to government support.

“Therefore the formation of Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra  is not a personal thing, but the  result of that process of consultation led by Professor Muxe Nkndo, who is also on the board  (of Mzansi National  Philharmonic Orchesra) Professor Andries Oliphant of UINSA and Avril Joffe,” Tembe said. Tembe is also at the helm of two regional orchestras, the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. This he made clear at the event as If to allay fears that regional orchestras would no longer get the support that used to enjoy. He also assured that the new national orchestra will only perform in the regions where regional orchestras exist only when such orchestras are in the off season.

“The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is not there to either replace or threaten the existence of the regional orchestras, and, If anything, it is there to support them and groom new talent, especially young and talented musicians who would like to pursue a career in classical music. We are there to play an advocacy role for orchestral music as well as train new talent through our cadetship programme. Look at us as the Springboks of Rugby to which rugby teams such as The Stormers are affiliates of,” Tembe said, adding that in fact the new orchestra even supports the regional orchestras financially.

“For example we recently had a meeting with an Mpumalanga orchestra, to which we pledged financial support, whose figure I will not mention. But when the {Provincial Department of Arts and Culture heard about this, they came up with a figure of R1 million to support that orchestra,”Tembe said who is the Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director  of Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra confirmed that annually the national orchestra will receive funds from DSAC.

“There is R21 million that we will receive from government, and the Board will then look elsewhere to raise the rest of the money to cover the shortfall, to meet the orchestra’s R32 Million annual budget. But this year, luckily there has been money that was not distributed to orchestras for the past three years and therefore we asked for that money to fund the orchestra,” he said.

Recent media reports have indicated that the new orchestra has this year received R53 million from government. However CITYLIFE/AETS could not independently ascertain the veracity of these claims.

Meanwhile besides the politics around the national orchestra and its relationship with the existing regional orchestras, the show goes on as they say in the language of the performance arts.

The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop, embarks on its first national tour of South Africa next month. Commencing on 15 December 2022, they will tour many diverse South African communities, performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 – with accomplished soloists and local choirs.

The Orchestra has assembled a powerhouse line-up of musicians to perform this mighty work. Classical music superstar, Marin Alsop, is one of the most distinguished conductors of her generation, and the Orchestra’s Concert Master, South African violinist Pieter Schoeman, is also the Concert Master of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The soloists include renowned South African mezzo soprano, Michelle Breedt, who has performed in prestigious concert halls all over the world and talented bass baritone, Msimelelo Mbali, who is making a mark in Europe’s operatic world, and will appear at the English National Opera in the 2022/23 season. The tour will also feature dynamic local choirs such as the Gauteng Choristers, Tshwane University of Technology Choir, Mzansi Chorale and the New Apostolic Church Choir.

 The three-city tour will take place on: 15 December at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg; 17 December at The Playhouse in Durban; 21 December at Cape Town’s City Hall.

“Through our varied and inclusive programmes, the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is committed to transforming lives and bringing people together through the power of music. Bringing together excellent South African musicians under the direction of a legendary conductor, such as Marin Alsop, is a great honour. I have no doubt that people who come into contact with our work will experience the high artistic quality, vitality and commitment, which characterizes Mzansi NPO”, says  Tembe.  

Conductor Marin Alsop is “looking forward to conducting the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra in December this year, in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. I have had the privilege of performing all over the world, but performing in a three-city tour of South Africa is a first for me — and I could not be more excited.”  Alsop continued, “I love what the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is doing, not just in their country, but also further afield. Music and the arts have a unique power to elevate society, and I appreciate how this Orchestra is intent not only on achieving the highest artistic goals, but also take their responsibility to the community seriously.” Beethoven’s 9th Symphony will be played as you’ve never heard it before. Its themes are universal – marked by tolerance, unity and joy – aligning with the ideals of Nelson Mandela and the concept of Ubuntu.

“The choice of Beethoven’s 9th is very appropriate for an Orchestra ushering in a new era. Popularly known as ‘The Choral Symphony’, it is the final masterpiece in thecomposer’s symphonic oeuvre. Culminating in one of the most beloved of all melodies, ‘The Ode to Joy’, it is regarded by many critics and musicologists the world over as Beethoven’s greatest work, and one of the supreme achievements in the history of music. Pieter Schoeman, the Orchestra’s concertmaster is delighted to lead South Africa’s best and diverse orchestral musicians in the Mzansi Philharmonic’s first-ever national tour of South Africa. “I couldn’t ask for a better homecoming than Beethoven’s 9th Symphony – it promises to be the kind of concert that we’ll still be talking about for many years to come.”

The Mzansi NPO was officially launched earlier this year as part of an initiative of the South African National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in order to broaden the orchestral experience of the country, transform the orchestral sector, and utilise this Orchestra to brand South Africa positively around the world Its mission includes the funding of regional and youth orchestras, and the artistic planning committee is finalising the funding process, with recipients to be announced before the end of the year,” the national orchestra says in its media release.

“”Among the Orchestra’s prime initiatives is supporting young, up-and-coming musicians, studying both locally and internationally, as well as reaching out to provinces without their own professional orchestras. An objective of the Orchestra is to partner with South African artists who have made a name on the international stage, returning to give back to their homeland.

Justice Leona Theron, Chairperson of the board of directors of Mzansi National Philharmonic, said “After months of planning, we are thrilled that the Mzansi Philharmonic’s inaugural national tour is finally upon us. We are excited to welcome our friends to share the stage with us as we step into a new era. As we raise this new banner together, I have no doubt that we will experience a level of excellence, artistry and inclusivity that we have only glimpsed before.” Tickets for the concerts on the Mzansi Philharmonic’s tour are available through Quicket. For enquiries, please contact info@mzansiphilharmonic.org.za