Chi-Chi Nwanoku

Elbphilharmonie Talk with Chi-Chi Nwanoku

She founded the first orchestra consisting largely of Black musicians: Chi-Chi Nwanoku talks about changes in people’s thinking and a crucial experience that made her see things differently.

»This is the 21st century. I should be not a novelty that there is more than one black face on the stage.« Double-bass player Chi-Chi Nwanoku is commited to an institutional change in the world of classical music: she is the founder of the Chineke! Orchestra, the first orchestra to consist almost entirely of Black musicians. In the Elbphilharmonie Talk the Artistic Director discusses her personal vision, newly-discovered repertoire and the crucial experience that led to the foundation of her orchestra.

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»We had a complete standing ovation as we came on. Lots of people had tears pouring down their faces. For me, it felt like a global sigh of relief.«

Chi-Chi Nwanoku on the first concert of the Chineke! Orchestra

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