"Kinshasa Symphony" At NY African Film Festival
Friday, April 01, 2011
In this week's Arts File, Kerry Nolan speaks with WNYC contributor Femi Oke about the Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra and a new film that tells its story.
The group got its start more than a decade ago as a collection of amateur musicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 200 members of the orchestra have faced setbacks that most classical musicians would never dream of: wars, coups, power outages during performances, and more. But they have managed to stay together and win acclaim for their music, which is sometimes infused with African rhythms and musicality. A film about the group's triumphs and travails kicks off the New York African Film Festival on April 6th.
- Looking Back: NY African Film Fest 2010
- 18th Annual New York African Film Festival
- The Takeaway: Central Africa's Only Symphony Orchestra
Guests:
Femi OkeHosted by:
Kerry NolanProduced by:
Daniel P. TuckerFollow WQXR
About The Arts File
Each week,
Hosted by Kerry Nolan
Comments [7]
An incredibly inspiring story. As American orchestras are seemingly always quibbling, always facing [our own perception of] economic hardship and challenge, we forget that there are others who are getting by with much less.
This film celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit. Neither the conductor nor the musicians gave up on each other. How beautiful to see people wanting joy in their lives and using their utmost creativity to ensure its survival against all odds. An incredibly inspiring story.
Every time it seems as if classical music is about to breathe its last, something comes along to revive it, and often from a place we least expect. That the unexpected place is the Congo is a new "ode to joy."
I occasionally think about how inspiring music can be, but this brings it to a whole new level.
Music lifts souls out of hell in "Kinshasa Symphony". The love of music can make us limitless, even in war. This film is a provocation. It trivializes obstacles we think unsurmountable. You will have no woes to magnify, when you hear classical music from the Heart of Brightness, my Congo. BanaKin, Oye!
Nice!
Wonderful piece. I love Femi Oke. More please! I will look out for this film.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.