Black Mozart and other forgotten composers - Concert Talk

To mark Black History Month, during this concert talk, Orville Breeveld will delve into the lives and works of significant composers such as Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Majoie Hajary, and Joseph Bologne (also known as the Black Mozart). To bring their music to life, award-winning pianist Dr Rebeca Omordia will be performing a selection of their compositions. This evening will be moderated by Kim Wassens.

Orville Breeveld is a prominent voice in diversifying classical music. He is known for the podcast series ‘Gemiste Sterren’ (Lost Stars) about Black classical composers, a collaboration with Radio 4, Het Concertgebouw, and 24 Classics. As a consultant for Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Orville focuses on diversifying programming and audience engagement, developing initiatives like ‘From Southeast With Love’ and the symposium ‘From Exclusive to Inclusive.’ In 2023, he debuted as a documentary maker with ‘Nieuwe Blik Terug,’ a six-part series highlighting forgotten notable Black European icons from history.

Dr Rebeca Omordia is hailed as an “African classical music pioneer” (BBC World Service) and a “classical music game changer” (Classical Music). This award-winning pianist, whose technique “knows no bounds” (Julian Lloyd Webber, London Magazine), has dedicated the last decade to unearthing and championing works by African classical composers. Her “wild and shimmering piano gems” (The Guardian) program, African Pianism, has toured worldwide. Rebeca is also the visionary behind The African Concert Series, a vital platform for African classical music that is now a resident partner at London’s iconic Wigmore Hall.

We are grateful for the generous support by the Dutch Church and the Dutch Embassy.

Host or Publisher Dutch Centre