“The Minnesota Orchestra will hit five South African cities by storm, when it undertakes a national tour for its ‘Music for Mandela’ concerts,” reads an unsigned Wednesday (7/4) Cape Times (South Africa) article. “These events honoring the legacy of President Nelson Mandela take place in Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto from August 10 to 18.… Music ranges from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony to a world premiere of a special tribute, by South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen, titled Harmonia Ubuntu. American concert touring company Classical Movements planned the tour with the Minnesota Orchestra and commissioned the tribute [honoring] Mandela. The tour draws together South African and American performers and music, and offers musical exchanges with student groups and large-scale performances in colleges, city halls and churches, according to Minnesota Orchestra music director and conductor, Osmo Vänskä.… Before its South African tour, the orchestra will host its ‘Music for Mandela’ concerts at the Sommerfest music festival in Minneapolis, from July 13 to August 1. Orchestra president and chief executive officer Kevin Smith said: ‘This is … a unique opportunity to bring cultures together through music, and we are honored to play a role in the Nelson Mandela centenary celebration.’ ”
Posted July 5, 2018
