Shadrack Bokaba was a violinist in the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) for many years – initially among the seconds before moving to the ranks of the firsts. Always restless and ambitious, he came to know the heart and soul of musicians – the heart is carried on the shoulder, the soul all over the place – as well as their often amazing spirit and, on the downside, also their vulnerability. Bokaba describes any symphonic orchestra of 70-plus members as “a living organism, needing great care if you want to handle it properly”. Many observers will agree that the JPO is thriving, but it is a continuous process not only to lift the standards of its playing,...
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