We're On Air!

I'm in the Hallé Youth Choir, and back in September we teamed up with the awesome members of the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste from the DRC to bring the people of Manchester and London (S) a programme of music from Kinshasa DRC, England, Germany and Finland. The orchestras played Sibelius' 'Finlandia', some Berlioz, and a symphony written by some members of the OSK, while the choirs sang some really cool music from KDRC and some George Shearing/Shakespeare stuff, and we joined forces for the stunning finale to Beethoven's 9th Symphony (Ode to Joy). We performed first at the Bridgewater Hall after less than 7 hours' total rehearsal time on everything, and then we went to London's Southbank Centre to perform it all again at the Royal Festival Hall. The BBC followed us around for a few days and then made a documentary, which was aired TODAY on BBC4!

Along with the documentary (which is really good, check it out) the BBC has also posted some full-length clips of pieces that were performed, including the finale to Beethoven's 9th and some of the Kinshasa songs.

This video contains my two top favourite songs from the Kinshasa songs. The first one, Nkolo na biso Yesu (Our Lord Jesus) is beautiful and tender and so almost sad, and makes me teary every time I hear it! The second one was first sung to us when we were in rehearsal and we were told that the choir had a surprise for us..and I just grinned all the way through!

Please take a listen and see how amazing these people are. And us, of course ;)

~Liz