Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste

The Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste (OSK), or Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, is a Congolese orchestra based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. For many years, the OSK was the only orchestra known to reside in Central Africa,[1] though in recent times, the Kaposoka Orchestra began performing in Angola.[2] It was the world's only all-black orchestra.[3]

History

Conductor Armand Diangienda founded the orchestra in 1994 after losing his job as an airline pilot, naming it after his grandfather, religious leader Simon Kimbangu.[4] At its conception, the group had only twelve amateur musicians that shared instruments and often used common materials as makeshift instrument parts. The group eventually grew to the size of about 200 amateur musicians and performers consisting of a full orchestra and choir.

The orchestra gained international attention when German filmmakers Martin Baer and Claus Wischmann created the documentary Kinshasa Symphony (2010) depicting the plight of the orchestra and its members in poverty stricken Kinshasa.[5]

In May 2013 it was announced that Diangienda was to become an honorary member of the Royal Philharmonic Society, an award previously bestowed on such famous musicians as Mendelssohn, Rossini, Wagner, Brahms and Stravinsky.[3]

References
  1. Schmitter, Elke (24 September 2010). "Central Africa's Only Orchestra: Playing Beethoven in Kinshasa". Der Spiegel. Spiegel Online. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  2. "Angola: Kaposoka Orchestra performs at "Show of the Month"". ANGOP. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  3. Andy Morgan (9 May 2013). "The scratch orchestra of Kinshasa". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  4. Tsioulcas, Anastasia. "'Kinshasa Symphony': An Ode To Musical Joy In Central Africa". NPR. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
  5. Morgan, Frances. "Films on sound: Kinshasa Symphony". Sound and Music. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
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