Cross Currents

Ensemble Noir launches its 03/04 Season with Cross Currents, an eclectic evening of exciting traditional West African drumming mixed with new music by contemporary African composers and the pulsating minimalist sounds of Steve Reich, playing at the St Lawrence Centre (Jane Mallet Theatre), 27 Front Street East on Friday November 21, 2003 at 7.30PM. Cross Currents Tickets are $15 (regular) $12 (students/seniors/groups of ten or more) available at the St Lawrence Centre Box Office in person.

Cross Currents marks Ensemble Noir’s first Toronto performance of the 2003/2004 Season following their successful African tour in July –marking the first time a Canadian classical music ensemble performed to enthusiastic audiences in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. The final concert of the tour to a capacity audience in Johannesburg, South Africa was “unique and exciting” according to the Johannesburg Star.

Cross Currents is a unique concert experience, a confluence of African music with contemporary classical music using traditional West African drums and classical instruments. Ensemble Noir is a dynamic young ensemble led by award-winning South African-born composer and conductor Bongani Ndodana and has been described as “a remarkably polished ensemble” by The Globe and Mail. The group is an acclaimed exponent of culturally diverse new classical music, merging the cultures of the world with contemporary music. Most of Ensemble Noir's programs focus on music by composers from Africa and the Dihtmlora performed on Western orchestral instruments, recreating the sounds, rhythms and melodies of traditional African instruments. A fine collection of hand crafted traditional African instruments specially imported for this event, will be auctioned. Instruments will be displayed from 7PM in the lobby of the Jane Mallet Theatre, bring your cheque book!