25 Jun Nairobi Orchestra Plays Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
The Nairobi Orchestra, one of Africa’s oldest orchestras, was founded in 1947 by Italian Prisoners of War (POWs). This amateur orchestra boasts a diverse group of musicians, including teachers, university students, volunteers, United Nations staff, and occasionally pupils from schools.
The orchestra typically performs five sets of concerts annually: in November, December (with the Nairobi Music Society Choir), March, May (again with the NMS Choir), and June. Rehearsals are held at Kenton College in Kileleshwa, with about eight to ten sessions to prepare for each concert weekend.
The Nairobi Orchestra’s repertoire mainly includes pieces from the Classical and Romantic periods, with occasional performances of Baroque and Modern works. When possible, they also feature film music and annually aim to première a composition by a local Kenyan composer.
While the orchestra usually comprises around sixty players, it expanded to seventy for the November 2018 concerts, during which they performed Holst’s “The Planets,” setting a new record for the ensemble.
This season, the Nairobi Orchestra will join forces with the Nairobi Music Society Choir for an exhilarating performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. This is an exceptional opportunity to experience the grandeur and joy of one of the most iconic works in classical music.
The concert will also feature Beethoven’s “Romance No. 2,” a violin solo by Ginger Neff (@ginger.neff.3), accompanied by a small orchestra, along with several other musical gems.
Concert Details:
– When? 15th of June at 6:30 PM and 16th of June at 3 PM
– Where? Peponi House Preparatory School on Farasi Lane off Lower Kabete Road
– Tickets: 1,500 for adults / concessions 1,000
Don’t miss this extraordinary musical event!
