Performance by Buskaid was sheer ecstasy marking 25 years of success
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
The music was beautiful and those that attended the event were enthralled by the performances by Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble at the Linder Auditorium on Sunday, July 17, 2022. The orchestra, directed beautifully by kits founder and director Rosemary Nalden, has clearly matured with age. Having so far travelled to over 26 countries, the ensemble has indeed represented South Africa well internationally.
The occasion was the celebration of the ensemble’s 25th anniversary. The story of how this orchestra was formed from its humble beginnings in Soweto, and how it grew to become a musical force to reckon with, has been told several times.
I will not bore you by repeating that narrative. However it is important to state a few facts about why an orchestra like this one, should continue to be supported.
Over the years many a member has come and gone, some migrating overseas for greener pastures, such as attending internationally reputed prestigious schools of music.
This therefore means that there is a need to groom young people to come into the fold of the orchestra to replace those that leave for whatever reason.
It is where the Buskaid School in Diepkloof, Soweto, is important as it continues to enrol young people that eventually end up as part of Buskaid.
And on Sunday, the results of this programme was there for us to witness as an intergenerational mix of performers was on display for all of us to see. It was very interesting to witness talent at its best, handling some of the most difficult compositions with so much flair and skill that they could easily give even some of the most experienced classical musicians in the world a good run for their money.
Here Rosemary Nalden the director and founder of this orchestra has done a great job. The orchestra on Sunday started off playing classical pieces for the first half and for the second half they performed jazz classics with authority.
The 25th anniversary of this orchestra was indeed an experience to marvel at and enjoy. There is one thing about classical music that is so different from other concerts, and it is that it has a unique way of connecting with the audience taking them along on a journey of meditation and clarity of mind and soul. It was sheer ecstasy to attend Sunday’s concert, and the audience responded to the power of the rendition in a hugely positive fashion.