Soweto Gospel Choir
South Africa’s Most Heavenly Voices
The 32-strong choir …graced the stage in robes as bright and bold as their voices. As they switched between five languages, a deep pride in their songs and faith shone from their faces, their voices flickering and rising like a flame. The songs and rhythms conjured pictures of wide African planes and leaping antelope. This...
They swayed and swooped. They sang at full throttle. They gyrated and leaped through two hours of exuberant music-making. This amazing ensemble of 33 singers-dancers-musicians whipped up a storm of vocal sound, and a storm of audience excitement. They perform with all their heart, soul and body, and with an easy abandonment welling from the...
While the European tradition of gospel music is about austerity and a personal response to the divine — think of a Bach mass or passion — African gospel music is vibrant, outgoing and a celebration of community. The music is designed to make you get up, dance and wave your arms about — which is...
