Nicholas Collon, Abel Selaocoe & Bernhard Schimpelsberger with Aurora Orchestra at Bruges Concertgebouw. 

Selaocoe’s work explored his close connection to the township of Sebokeng in South Africa (where he grew up); the four sections or spirits of the piece, MaSebego (‘Traditional healer’), Bana (‘Children’), Tshepo (‘Faith’), and Simunye (‘We are one’), embodied an amazing community spirit, with the orchestra doubling as a choir over which Selaocoe soloistically vocalised. The audience intuitively collaborated in the communal singing aspects of this work, following his leadership, infectious enthusiasm and stage energy. His earnest stage presence is very impressive; his relaxed and welcoming personality shines through from the outset. The improvisatory interplay with the percussionist, Bernhard Schimpelsberger, was testament to their years of collaboration. The incredible artistic integrity of the work, its assured groove and instilling sense of community, resulted in standing ovations and encores before the interval in the vast majority of these performances.

The entire performance in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie was live streamed and is available to watch here: 

‘In the second half of the concert, the Aurora Orchestra presents its trademark: a major symphonic work, played entirely from memory without sheet music. Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, which the composer himself described as a “sheer expression of joy, happiness and the affirmation of life”, should be a perfect fit for the enthusiastic young orchestra.’ (Elbphilharmonie Programme Notes)

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, performed entirely from memory, was equally electrifying. Performing this work from memory was exciting and liberating, and it was a great pleasure to play it in such a variety of concert halls. Again, the programme often received standing ovations. It was Aurora’s first time performing in Berlin and Frankfurt, and it was my first time performing in Berlin, Bielefeld, and Cologne. These packed, often sold-out, performances couldn’t have been more stark in contrast to our audience-less performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 at the BBC Proms in 2020.

Russell Gilmour and Sam Kinrade at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.