The African Renaissance Ensemble

(124)

About

The African Renaissance Ensemble is a group of South African musicians, striving to infect South Africans with our love for early music.


Our goal is to bring this exquisite, little known and seldom performed music to modern audiences.


We are not Classical.


The Music


We believe that the music that we perform is far more accessible to modern audiences. The pieces are usually short (between 1 and 10 minutes) and there is a massive variety of sound. Much of the music is lighthearted and was composed specifically for dancing or for story telling.

The music is highly emotionally evocative and varied.


The Instruments


The instruments that were used at the time that this music was written were very different to those in use today. Our ensemble uses a mix of period instruments, including gut string violins, period keyboards (harpsichord, virginal etc.) lutes, and winds that you have likely never seen before. Guitar and percussion also play an important role. You will hear a variety of sound that you have never experienced before!


Our concerts


Do not expect a symphony concert. Our performances are not the formal affairs that one expects from a symphony concert, opera or classical chamber concert and neither is the music that we perform. In fact, almost all of the music we play predates the idea of a concert! You will certainly not find our musicians performing in suit and tie, so feel free to dress however feels appropriate.

We like to keep our concerts small, it is important to us that we can directly connect with our audiences. We want our audiences to feel like an active part of the event.

Maestro Adam H. Golding always speaks between the musical numbers, providing context and uses the music to weave together a story including anecdotes that range from hilarious to grotesque.

Concerts are usually between 60 and 90 minutes



Reviews

4.9
from 124 reviews
"An evening of splendidly played music that is seldom heard. So much effort put into the concert by the musicians to learn to play different musical instruments. All beautifully presented. Thank you, Adam Golding, and your entire team. A lovely evening. "
- Anonymous
"The concert was extremely enjoyable. The only negative aspect of it was the group's name: African Renaissance Ensemble, which would gladden Thabo Mbeki's heart, but not ours. I doubt that Mbeki's heart knows anything of the High Baroque, but it pumps hell for leather to 'African Renaissance'. "
- Patrick
"Amazing voices, fantastic performance with period instruments. We loved every minute of it! Thank you for a wonderful evening. "
- Martina
"It was transportative, I really felt like I was alive due Carlos V's time. I really enjoyed the misc and the passion of the musicians. I highly recommend this show. "
- Joané
"An incredible evening with wonderful music and lots of listening to works for the first time. Adam is an incredible host ,source of information and talent but so are the musicialns ansd singers he works with on a regular basis. Th echoir is outstanding. Thanks for a brilliant evening"
- Richard

Contact info