Curtain call with Goitsemang Lehobye, Osmo Vanska & Bongani Ndodana-Breen
Dr. Bongani Ndodana-Breen writes:
Dear Friends:
Wonderful review of a sensational evening in Minneapolis! World premiere of my "Harmonia Ubuntu” by the Minnesota Orchestra led by Osmo Vanska.
South African tour dates of the Minnesota Orchestra are at www.minnesotaorchestra.org/satour
Best wishes,
-B
Minneapolis Star Tribune
South African composer celebrates 'Mandela's message' with Minnesota Orchestra premiere
July 19, 2018
Among Saturday’s many
festivities, the Minnesota Orchestra will premiere an orchestral work
called “Harmonia Ubuntu,” a tribute to the late South African leader
Nelson Mandela by Cape Town composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen. We spoke
with the composer via Skype about his new piece, specially commissioned
by the orchestra — and about Mandela’s legacy.
Q: The Minnesota Orchestra commissioned your new piece, which you call “Harmonia Ubuntu.” Can you elaborate on the title?
A: Ubuntu
is what Nelson Mandela stood for. It’s an African philosophy which says
my humanity is tied to your humanity, my dignity to your dignity, and
how I treat you. That was Mandela’s message. And he went to prison for
it for 27 years.
Q: Were you excited to get the commission?
A: To
celebrate the legacy of Mandela is a beautiful thing, especially at a
time when the world faces so much inhumanity, hate and divisions. Like
Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, Mandela can show people the potential
of actually being human.
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