Johannesburg, 24 October 2022 – Members of the strings part of the recently-launched Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi NPO) have arrived within the capital metropolis of Algeria, to take part in a world cultural pageant this week, The 14 musicians, together with achieved South African pianist Nina Schumann and conductor Matheu Kieswetter, will play plenty of works by South African composers throughout their live performance efficiency on Thursday, 20 October.
The Ministry of Arts and Culture in Algeria is internet hosting the twelfth version of its International Cultural Festival of the Symphonique Music, that includes nationwide and worldwide artists – together with the Mzansi NPO members – on the Algiers Opera “Bouallem ESSAIH” from 15 – 21 October 2022.
“The Mzansi NPO is thrilled to be part of this international festival where we will showcase not only our talented South African musicians, but also the works of distinguished local composers, Bongani Ndodana-Breen, Arnold van Wyk and Keith Moss,” says Bongani Tembe, chief govt and inventive director of the Mzansi NPO.
Adding to the joy, that is the primary time that plenty of these musicians are enjoying out of the country on the continent. This tour talks immediately to one of many orchestra’s key targets: to join classical music and, extra importantly, to expose native music and compositions to a broader viewers not solely right here in South Africa, however on a regional, continental and international scale.
“This experience reaffirms the need for a national orchestra in our country. It provides an opportunity for a shared experience among musicians from different regions and different backgrounds – but, who all share a common passion for music and for the pursuit of excellence. A wonderful example of South Africa for the world.”
Launched in July 2022, a part of the position of the Mzansi NPO is ‘to identify, develop and nurture young and talented South African orchestral musicians and to help outline a career path for them’.
Of vital significance to the orchestra is the usage of music and live shows to convey collectively South Africans of all races and ages with the one purpose of selling nation constructing. In this regard, a significant nationwide tour shall be introduced quickly.
The Mzansi NPO contains among the nation’s best musicians who’ve earned a status for excellence and innovation in their fields. A nationwide orchestra, very similar to a nationwide sports activities workforce, can not exist in isolation. For it to be sustainable, the Mzansi NPO will play a central position in a nationwide expertise recruiting, refining and retaining system. It will signify the best stage of a multi-tiered developmental course of for younger South African musicians, of which the regional orchestras stay a crucial factor.
“The Mzansi NPO will contribute to the funding of regional orchestras and other related entities, and advocate for the value that orchestras bring to society,” says Tembe.
Another essential focus of the Mzansi NPO is to interact with younger musicians and information them alongside their profession paths by the nationwide cadetship programme, collaboration with numerous youth orchestras, and alternatives to upskill their abilities.
With an enriching programme of occasions scheduled for the rest of 2022, the orchestra can be busy getting ready for an thrilling line-up of performances heading into the brand new 12 months.
In September, 4 of the Mzansi NPO musicians represented South Africa on the worldwide stage after they joined musicians from different G20 international locations to carry out on the G20 Cultural Ministers Summit in Indonesia. They had been Jonathan Mayer (violin), Jonalene Taylor (double bass), Carli D’Alebout (violin) and Chris Njapha (cello).
“The International Cultural Festival taking place in Algeria this week presents another opportunity for our world-class musicians to perform on the international stage, and to introduce different audiences to our home-grown talent and music,” says Tembe.