Buganda Music Ensemble

Court music from Uganda – World Classical Music

This concert has already taken place! 12 | 16 | 23 | 33
This concert has already taken place! 12 | 16 | 23 | 33
Buganda Music Ensemble
Buganda Music Ensemble © Buganda Music Ensemble
  • Doors open 18:00

  • Pre-concert talk 18:30

  • Start 19:30

  • End ca. 21:00

Court music comes to the Elbphilharmonie. The Buganda Music Ensemble comes from the Kingdom of Buganda, which was founded in the 14th century. The territory of the pre-colonial state lies in eastern Africa, in what is now the modern state of Uganda. The ensemble is led by Albert Bisaso Ssempeke, a renowned virtuoso on the ennanga arched harp and the endongo bowl lyre.

Another of the formation’s key instruments is the amadinda, a bulky xylophone-like instrument that is played by three musicians at the same time and that boasts an incredible power. European art music composers such as John Cage and György Ligeti have also been inspired by the polyrhythm and microtonality of Bugandan music. How exactly the ancient composers of Buganda developed their compositions is still a mystery, but it is known that they composed on the ennanga arched harp.

Various drums also belong to the Buganda Music Ensemble, whose complex melodic and rhythmic patterns produce fascinating effects and tonal illusions that gradually intensify into a mesmerising ritualistic sound. As is often the case in traditional African music, this is also a magical dialogue with the spirits of the ancestors.

Performers

Buganda Music Ensemble

Albert Bisaso Ssempeke ennanga, endigidi, endongo, direction
Daudi Kigozi embuutu, kiganda tube fiddle, endongo
Hamu Paul Kalyango engalabi
Robert Lubanga amadinda
Patrick Odoi amadinda, embuutu

Programme

»Bugunda Hofmusik«

Artists in Conversation

with Birgit Ellinghaus und Albert Ssempeke (in English)

18:30 / Elbphilharmonie, Kleiner Saal

Subscription

World Classical Music

Promoter: HamburgMusik

During your visit

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

A public viewing platform on the 8th floor of the Elbphilharmonie

More about the Plaza

Food and Drink

Before the concert and in the interval

Find out more

Coughing, clapping, chatting

Tips for your concert visit

Read now