Philharmonischer Chor Köln

Chor zur Welt

People from more than 15 countries sing in the Chor zur Welt. They all share a curiosity for the music of other cultures and all enjoy experimenting with their own voices. Under the direction of Jörg Mall, the choir rehearses clearly conceived concert programmes, which are then performed on stage at the Elbphilharmonie and KörberHaus. Together with the singer, songwriter and producer Ramadu from Zimbabwe, the choir is now exploring the traditional a capella music of southern Africa and familiarising itself with the Bantu languages of Ndbele and Xhosa. Choir members and the audience can expect a variety songs that are stylistically very different, all in response to the breathtaking nature and volatile history of the countries of Southern Africa. The stylistic spectrum ranges from the powerful »Mbube« (Zulu for »Lion«), which rose to international fame thanks to Walt Disney’s »The Lion King«, to the militant »Chimurenga«, where the musicians opposed the oppression of the British colonial rulers and campaigned for freedom, independence, social justice and respect for human rights, through to the soft and harmonious »Isicathamiya«. »Ubuntu« – humanity – is the title of the programme, where the desire for freedom comes together in the traditional texts with an appeal for global justice and peaceful coexistence. Ramadu is the stage name of Dumisani Moyo. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, he lived in Vienna for many years, where he founded the record label 10th District Music. With a mix of traditional folk music from southern Africa and modern pop sounds, he brought the music of his homeland to a worldwide audience. His various solo and ensemble projects like the »Insingizi« trio have garnered rapturous receptions. The studio attached to his record label has since relocated to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where he devotes his efforts to promoting the local art scene. With some great triumphs along the way: NOBUNTU, Zimbabwe‘s first female vocal group, is just one success story that owes its genesis to him.