Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (Mzansi Philharmonic) is set to perform for the International Society of Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days festival concert at 18h00 on Friday, November 24 at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. The concert will feature contemporary compositions by international composers, including a work by South African composer Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph. Mzansi Philharmonic, South Africa’s flagship orchestra, will be conducted by Brandon Phillips, former resident conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
The 2023 ISCM World New Music Days (WNMD) festival will be hosted in South Africa by NewMusicSA, marking the 100th-anniversary edition of this historic celebration of music and creativity. The 10-day extravaganza will bring together over 100 composers from 50 countries, making it a global hub for new ideas, collaborations, and artistic fusions. With more than 70 groundbreaking new music compositions performed by an impressive line-up of over 200 musicians across 25+ events, WNMD 2023 will be the most significant assembly of contemporary music ever witnessed on the African continent.
“NewMusicSA has used this momentous occasion to extend our horizons,” said the organisation’s Chairperson Diale Mabitsela, “and we couldn’t be happier with the response we’re receiving. It is such an honour to have Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra perform for us in what we know will be a fantastic music experience, not only for our contemporary composers, but also for South African musicians and audiences.”
Bongani Tembe, Mzansi Philharmonic’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director added: “We are pleased to promote contemporary music, in particular music that reflects South Africa’s heritage. Our country has a rich history of music making and composition, and collaborating with artists to bring these works to life is part of our mission. In addition, we are passionate about branding South Africa positively on global performance platforms such as the ISCM World New Music Days festival,”
Since its inception in 1923, the World New Music Days has grown into one of the world’s premier contemporary art music festivals and has acted as a springboard for the careers of renowned composers such as Mauricio Kagel and György Ligeti.
Zaidel-Rudolph expressed her delight at the collaboration: “As a South African composer, it is wonderful to have one’s work performed by the country’s flagship orchestra, Mzansi Philharmonic, on a South African stage with international presence.”
In addition to Zaidel-Rudolph’s Tempus Fugit, the programme will also feature Colour Sketches by South African composer Chris Palmer, Frostbitten by Voetmann and Suite for Burkina Electric and Orchestra by Ligeti.
Tickets for the concert are available through Quicket: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/240645-iscm-world-new-music-days-2023/?ref=events-list#/
