Paulsson & MYO@Berlin Philharmonie 2014

Sunday June 29, 8pm, Concert at the Berliner Philharmonie:

‍http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/concerts/calendar/details/21052/

Celebrating 20 years of Freedom in South Africa:Sunday June 29, 8pm, Concert at the Berliner Philharmonie:

‍http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/concerts/calendar/details/21052/http://www.young-euro-classic.de/en/programme/details/2014-06-29-miagi-

youth-orchestra-new-skool-orchestra-1093/

(a MIAGI commissioned composition within the frame of a partner driven cooperation project funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria through Sida and based on songs from South Africa’’s Freedom Struggle)

Tourplan:Berliner Philharmonie, 29 Juni

Wisby Strand, 2 Juli

Rikssalen Kungliga Slottet, Stockholm 4 Juli

Krapperup Musikhall, 9 Juli

Laiszhalle, Hamburg, 11 Juli

Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele, 15 Juli

Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 17 Juli

PROGRAM NOTES on CELEBRATION SUITE:

The music is inspired by and partially built on Freedom Songs.This music often proved to be stronger than weapons during the struggle against apartheid, as illustrated in the film AMANDLA! A revolution in four part harmony.

The first movement is built on the South African freedom classic Shosholoza, that Nelson Mandela said inspired him with courage to work in spite of great difficulties.It is juxtaposed and integrated with jazz riffs and Celebration music.

The second movement RECONCILIATION is partially based on the chorale of the Freedom Song "Thina Sizwe"that mourns the loss of land to the the immigrants.Music from the new arrivals is integrated into the music, symbolizing that together we can coexist peacefully.

MAKEBA REFLECTIONS is inspired by a cappella Folksongs and riffs fused into a contrast of smooth sailing and big band power.

KUDU BLUES is developing an original Wangani tribal theme that is often played by Kudu horns.The bluesy quality of the riff developed into a 7 bar blues in odd meters 8, 6 and 7/4.The imagined answers of the bush animals develop into a cacaphony of riffs culminating in a jazzy super sax chorus.

AMAQHAWE =Heroes, is dedicated to all those men and women who dedicated their lives,and sometimes even sacrificed their lives in order to establish and upholda peaceful and multiethnic democracy - a Rainbow Nation.Their exemplary achievement is and remains an inspiration to the whole world.Musically the composition is based on traditional South African rhythms combined with Nordic harmonies and struggling middle section that resolves into the soulful Joy that is an inspirational trademark of South African Culture.