Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra launches exciting “rhythms of hope” tour programme
By Tonderai Chiyindiko
The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, South Africa’s first national orchestra made up of 110 local and internationally based non-permanent South African classical music performers, recently launched its 3-city 2024 tour programme dubbed the ‘Rhythms of Hope” National Tour.
The 2024 programme is curated by Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director, the inimitable Bongani Tembe and promises to be a showcase of the very best international and South African classical musical repertoire. A major highlight of the 2024 tour programme will be the world premiere of theShaka iLembe Suite composed by internationally renowned South African composer and sound artist Philip Miller. This piece will feature two of South Africa’s most enigmatic, exciting and versatile talents in the form of classical, gospel and jazz virtuoso Ann Masina who has performed with the Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir, and cultural icon, performer, storyteller and educator Mbuso Khoza whose oeuvre blends“the soulful harmonies of Isicathamiya, the rhythmic complexities of Amahubo, and the evocative melodies of indigenous folk music”.
The programme also features the grand symphonic suite Scheherazadeby Rimsky-Korsakov, composed in 1888 and which Sarah Oates, co-concertmaster of Mzansi National PhilharmonicOrchestra will lead. Young South African pianist, Leo Gevisser, a recent graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, will perform Gershwin’s popular Rhapsody in Bluewhich this year marks its 100th anniversary. The concert programme will be ably conducted by Kirill Karabits, an internationally acclaimed conductor who was recently awarded an OBE by His Majesty King Charles III.
The tour programme starts in Johannesburg at the Wits University’s Linder Auditorium, and then moves to Bloemfontein where it showcases at PACOFS’ Sand du Plessis Theatre before a final performance at Cape Town’s City Hall.
In between the tour, French luthier, Antoine Gourdon will embark on a live ‘open-to-the-public’ violin-making session which will culminate in that instrument being presented to a deserving candidate at the Cape Town concert. Luthier’s team will also be doing free minor repairs to string instruments and the great news is that the service is not limited to members of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra only but is extended to anyone whose instruments have seen better days and in dire need of some ‘TLC’.
The tour programme will alsoinclude a special community engagement orientated performances which willsee the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra visitto a local hospital in Johannesburg and a school for the visually impaired in Cape Town, all with the aim of spreading a message of hope and cheer through music to those who need it the most.
Speaking at the launch, BonganiTembe spoke of some of the milestones Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra has achieved in delivering on its mission of broadening and democratising access to the orchestral experience. To date, that support includes providing financial support to the now over 60 provincial and regional orchestras, and a Cadetship as well asFellowship programme which has seen the best, most promising young artists being offered a ‘full ride’ to study at prestigious institutions locally and across the globe.
The Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s impact has not only been limited to South Africa demonstrated by their key role in the highly successful African United Youth Orchestra which performed at the famed Carnegie Hall in New York earlier this year. This, and other initiatives are part of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s cultural ambassadorship role of using cultural diplomacy to brand and share a message of goodwill from the people of South Africa to the SADC, the rest of Africa and the world through music.