Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra returns to cultural music festival in Algeria

One of the biggest music misconceptions is that Africans don’t appreciate symphonies and that the only audience resides in the Western world.

However, the 14th edition of the International Cultural Symphony Music Festival in Algeria, where the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra will participate, shows Africa’s appetite and preservation of the genre.

“We are learning more and more that we have a very rich repository, if you will, of music and musicians in Africa and the ability to come together and showcase that is extremely important,” the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s Business and tour manager Nicole Haynes told The Citizen.

Haynes said it was important that the continent’s classical music is showcased for what it is.

In 2024, the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra invited a group of musicians under 30 to perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall during the World Orchestra Week festival.

She said they were taken aback by the number of applications from across the continent for performances in New York.

“We were surprised because you wouldn’t think that there might have been a flautist from Kenya or a cello player from Maputo. And we jump into these conclusions, but actually we have many amazing musicians,” she said.

Haynes added that they had more than 200 applications from across Africa, from musicians wanting to participate at the festival in New York.

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South African talent on show

Haynes said it was extremely important that South Africans are represented at the festival.

South Africa’s last and only participation at the festival was in 2022.  “We had a very successful trip then. We had planned to go again in 2023, but the festival was postponed,” she said.

An ensemble from the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at a concert on Thursday.

The ensemble will feature artists including Siphokazi Maphumulo (soprano), Megan-Geoffrey Prins (piano), and the Odeion String Quartet, which features Samantha Durrant, Sharon de Kock, Jean-Louise Moolman, and Anmari van der Westhuizen.

The concert will open with Mokale Koapeng’s Komeng and a solo from Mzilikazi Khumalo’s Princess Magogo.

Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, Bongani Tembe, spoke with delight about using the festival to showcase South African composers and South African music heritage.

“Our participation in the festival not only elevates South Africa’s presence on the global stage but also fosters meaningful cultural exchanges, enriching the tapestry of international musical discourse,” he said.

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International Cultural Symphony Music Festival

The International Cultural Symphony Music Festival will start this Thursday and run for nearly a week until April 23 at the Algiers Boualem Bessaih Opera House.

The festival features side events, such as workshops and musical lectures, that allow participants to interact with musicians and conductors. It has always been held in the North African country.

This year, 17 countries are participating, with Venezuela as the honour guest.

A tribute to Palestine is expected to take place at the opening ceremony of the International Cultural Symphony Music Festival.

“The emblematic song Zahret El Mada’in (Flower of the Cities) by Fairouz, will be performed by the Algerian singer Nada Raihane,” said festival curator Abdelkader Bouazzara on the festival’s website.

Algerian actor Hassan Kachach will read poems written by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. “These choices reflect Algeria’s deep solidarity with the Palestinian cause,” said Bouazzara.

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