Globetrotting string ensemble to perform in Joburg

Having taken the world by storm for 22 years, the Buskaid Soweto String Ensemble has travelled the world to huge international acclaim and is the only South African orchestra to have played at the BBC Proms and subsequently named as one of the world’s 10 most inspirational orchestras by the UK’s Gramophone Magazine.

Now, Joburg audiences have the chance to hear and see the remarkable group of highly talented young musicians, many of whom battle with difficult circumstances in their everyday lives.  Buskaid not only gives young people a chance to develop their talent and access employment, but it also transforms their lives through music.

Join the Buskaid Ensemble at the Linder Auditorium on Sunday 21 July to hear the first movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs) by Pablo de Sarasate, featuring young Buskaid virtuoso violinist Mzwandile Twala, followed by the focal point of the afternoon – a very unusual performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in which four different Buskaid solo violinists will be featured, two past members and two present.

Two current students, Khotso Langa and Mzwandile Twala will play Spring and Winter respectively, whilst Kabelo Motlhomi and Samson Diamond, both founder members, and both of whom have long since left Buskaid to forge highly successful musical careers, will play Summer and Autumn. The classical part of the programme ends with Mendelssohn’s String Symphony no 10, a sparkling, tuneful one-movement work which Mendelssohn wrote when he was 13 years old.

The Buskaid musicians will then embark on the lighter part of the programme, featuring an amazing line-up of Buskaid singers in some classic pop songs, and rounding off the afternoon with vibrant Kwela arrangements, unique to Buskaid. Tickets are available on Computicket from R180–R280.