THE QUALITIES OF LIFE

The purpose of Brand R is to share and we find pleasure in doing so. It is an even greater pleasure to showcase Durban’s fruits. One in particular that we share with you is the K.Z.N.P.O.    

And so a friend invited Brand R to this avant-garde do. And we gladly accepted. We talking about mid 40’s (age average) well dressed couples out for a night of class.

Which other majestic venue could stage this event other than the iconic City Hall. The last time I came here was to check out Ben Sharper and Wordsworth. Tonight I’m here for orchestra.

The city wore its cute face and got alive. One could easily trace the joy on the faces of the guests. 

And so the Polo fleece was in place, the fade dusted off, shoes shined, empty mind and golden ears took to the experience.

Ok we told the Orchestra has been running some twenty six years or so. It’s been kept alive by several sponsorships. Last nights orchestra was a seventy one piece. Imagine seventy one musicians in perfect cohesion and harmony. It’s just man, brass, wood and extreme concentration. Here, we’re talking absolutely no wiring or modern technology. Instead these meter wide brass tubes/ pipes that are connected to the organ leading up to the roof to perfect the acoustics.

One can’t help but notice the great emotion in the music, the way it builds up, the speechless communication between the conductor and the instrumentalists. It instant connection to the soul and mind showers freedom.  

The highest and lowest notes are impeccably controlled with such eloquence. I’m also told that some of the players have immigrated into the country just to play in the orchestra. Just to play in the KZNPO, swallow that son. Honestly, what could be realer?

These virtuosi have since started playing have only focused on one instrument which they are still trying to master after fifty years. Amazing!

The special guest for the night was Italian Jerome Pernoo. We’re no critiques of the music but this cat did magic yo! The conservatism is so strong there were instances I felt deserved an instant applaud, but we could only clap at the end of his set, plus we had a time line of less than five minutes.

The orchestra proceeded to play Beethoven’s fifth symphony. It feels like music captivity in a meditative state.  I almost cried when heard that Beethoven had been deaf for a while. Imagine composing so many classics and knowing you’ll never really get to hear them.  

Our quest for this year was to unveil and experience Durban. We’ve done well in this endeavor.