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Friday, June 8, 2018

KZN PHILHARMONIC SHARES IN SAMA GLORY!


The KZN Philharmonic is delighted to be among the SAMA 2018 winners – the Best Adult Contemporary album award went to Symphonic Soweto – a collaboration between Grammy Award winning flautist Wouter Kellerman, songstress and Grammy Award winning Anjeliqe Kidjo, the Soweto Gospel Choir and the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Symphonic Soweto is a moving tribute to the philosophy and ideals of Nelson Mandela, and spoke to the great leader’s tolerance and his love of music and dance as ways of connecting with people.

The SAMA Awards were hosted over two nights –June 1 and 2, 2018, featuring the cream of the country’s musical performing industry and esteemed guests such as President Cyril Ramaphosa and national Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthetwa. Both nights of the SAMAs took place in Sun City and were screened live on SABC 1 (DStv 191) as well as live streamed on the event's official FaceBook.

The orchestra is delighted to have been part of such an historic collaboration working alongside internationally-respected music-makers Wouter Kellerman, Anjelique Kidjo, the Soweto Gospel Choir and guests Rocky Dawuni, Zonke and Buskaid. Three of the tracks on the album were orchestrated by KZN Phil Orchestra Manager, John Walton.

The orchestra is honoured to be nominated alongside two excellent albums – hard-working, acoustic cotemporary-folk artist, Josie Field’s Indie Soul who regularly performs in KZN; and Rat-Pack, big band inspired trio, Swing City’s apt-named Now Listen Properly featuring Loyiso Bala and Graeme Watkins and Nathan Ro.

The KZN Phil was also nominated for the SAMA Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album: University of Limpopo Choristers and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra: Matimba Ya Vuyimbeleri.

“I am delighted that the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra has won its first SAMA award for its collaboration with Grammy award winner Wouter Kellerman. I am also pleased at our second nomination for the CD of music of JS Khosa, which highlights our commitment to also pursuing music which reflects our heritage,” says Bongani Tembe: CEO and Artistic Director of KZN Philharmonic.

Being part of such projects is an important counterpoint to the already extensive work of the orchestra – doing far-reaching educational and development projects; educational schools concerts; performances at old age homes and milestone civic occasions such as the Sibaya’s CSI celebratory function, and the Royal Show.

The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra has launched its four week 2018 Winter Season to  run in the Playhouse Opera Theatre, each Thursday, between June 7 and 28, 2018, starting at 19h30 as  part of the Orchestra’s renowned World Symphony Series (WSS) which was launched in Durban 22 years ago.

To link direct to the KZN Philharmonic’s website click on the orchestra’s banner advert on the top of the page or visit kznphil.org.za