Tchaikovsky’s Thunder, Kenya Rhythms: Nairobi Orchestra’s Concert Delight

The latest concert by the Nairobi Orchestra offered an entertaining array of music, the two-day sold-out event put together an enigmatic program around the theme of dance and folk music on the 16th and 17th of November at the Sabis International School, Runda.

Sauti Za Viola Premieres Sauti Tamaduni za Afrika Mashariki by Shaka Marko

Opening the show was Sauti Za Viola, a group founded in February 2024, featuring 16 violinists. Inspired by Masala Sefu’s “Cellobration,” their mission is to encourage viola players to rise and perform, ultimately aiming to break the Portuguese Viola Association world record of 321 players on one stage.

The ensemble began the afternoon with a slow yet emotional piece, Mendelssohn’s Adagio from String Sinfonia VIII. I initially felt apprehensive, but soon we were fully engaged!

Sauti Za Viola then took us back to our rhythmic roots with a world-premiere piece by Kenyan composer Shaka Marko titled ‘Sauti Za Tamaduni za Afrika Mashariki’. This piece perfectly set the mood. They played with such panache that it was impossible not to be carried away by the infectious melodies of Sauti Za Tamaduni za Afrika Mashariki, a medley of folk songs originating from Kenya. I could easily hear audience members softly humming along as they played. It was a virtuosic performance of great significance, especially considering it was the world premiere of the piece! Kudos to the Sauti Za Viola!

A Playful Musical Sojourn by Nairobi Orchestra

Nairobi Orchestra take stage | Quaint Photography

The Nairobi Orchestra took the stage to perform an intriguing and well-known piece by the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg: the Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. The suite’s first movement, titled “Morning Mood,” is one of Grieg’s most celebrated compositions. It begins with a beautiful flute solo that introduces the main theme, which is then seamlessly taken over by the oboe. In my opinion, even without its title, this piece vividly captures the essence of nature and the natural landscape.

Following this, the orchestra invigorated the atmosphere with Stravinsky’s “Suite 2 for Small Orchestra,” a piece filled with clownish humor and witty musical satire. This lively composition was pure delight, inviting my ears to melt into the joyful sounds.

The Nairobi Orchestra then transported us to a glittering Viennese ballroom with Johann Strauss’s “The Blue Danube.” I felt as if I was spellbound by the tingling anticipation of the string tremolo, the flickering grace notes of its famous melody, and the occasional yet bold stretching of the tempo.

Drum Rolls, Please!

What a wonderful way to bring us back into the listening mood after the intermission! Nairobi Orchestra took us through Haydn’s innovation and freshness, the orchestra greeted us with a long roll on the timpani with Haydn’s Symphony No. 103. This allowed us to truly understand the unique signature that gives the piece its “drum roll” nickname. The brass section performed exceptionally well, while the strings played the main melodies with warmth and real intensity.

The centerpiece of the afternoon’s program was Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. I must confess, it was a performance I had not experienced live before, and it certainly tantalized my eardrums.

Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture is a fascinating piece that immerses the listener in an imaginative space. It captures the emotional range of the Russian composer’s contributions to classical music, evoking feelings that range from the sorrow of doomed love to the grandiose patriotism of wartime.

Even though we didn’t get to see what is usually accustomed to the piece with an arsenal of pyrotechnic flare, it still provided an opportunity for me to appreciate the richness of the cellos in this performance. What followed was electrifying—brass blazing, woodwinds bustling, and violins and violas scurrying about. The ‘1812 Overture’ was likely the best-performed piece in the program, featuring stirring blasts from the drums, brass, and horns. Levi Wataka also did an excellent job of bringing the strings together in the lead-up to the sparkling climax. The warmth generated by the musicians carried the audience through the performance, and we rose to give them a triumphant round of applause.