Details

The world's first all-black symphony orchestra, was founded in December 1994 by the group's conductor and former airline pilot, Armand Diangienda. Based in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the group is Central Africa's only symphony orchestra and the city's population number among the poorest inhabitants on the planet. The orchestra's members are dedicated, talented musicians who are mostly self-taught and often play on home-made instruments. Their work, which includes performing music from the core classical repertoire such as Beethoven's Symphony No.9, promotes peace and hope in a country torn apart by war and poverty. Diangienda recently received honorary membership from the Royal Philharmonic Society, which is awarded in recognition of services to music. Previous recipients of the award include Felix Mendelssohn, Igor Stravinsky and, more recently, Sir Mark Elder. The three concerts given by the OSK will also feature musicians from the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, players from Southbank Centre's Resident Orchestras and the Hall?. The Halle Youth Choir will also be joining the African singers on stage and three of the concerts will also feature the Halle's Assistant Conductor, Jamie Philips in addition to works performed by Diangienda. The concerts in Manchester, London and Bristol will close with a performance of the finale from Beethoven's Symphony No.9 Ode to Joy. Other works will include traditional Congolese music alongside other clas sical favourites.

Creatives/Company

Presented by(s): Halle, Southbank Centre, Bristol Music Trust