Pirates Milking King Ayisoba

The orchestra in a pose after a performance.THE Aburukusu Folk-Rhythmic Orchestra whose repertoire cuts across the length and breadth of the African continent, is staging a come-back after a long spell off the stage.

The masters of African rhythms have rebounded in style and say they have come to retake their birthright on the stage.

Dr Kwasi Aduonum, an ethno-musicologist and music educator who spoke to Spectator Arts about the return to the fold, said the orchestra?s absence from the spotlight has given it the opportunity to learn more African beats and rhythms to enhance their performance.

The 20-memebr super performers have been hosted by the universities, second-cycle institutions, churches and have played at weddings, inaugurations, speech days, funerals and other occasions. They still accept invitations to such ceremonies.

The orchestra has more than once performed at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital where patients joined in the jamboree-like session. Dr Aduonum calls it music therapy and says the orchestra will once again visit the hospital to entertain patients.

The Aburukusu Africkana Orchestra which has several lady members has a particular song ?Ghana Nkabom? which has always elicited a standing ovation.

The orchestra?s concert hall performances have always had a flavour of the Euro-Western music of the classical music age. The songs scent of Handel, Mozart, Shubert, Tchaikowsky and others including Beethoven whose 9th Symphony is still enjoyed as an evergreen masterpiece.

Dr Aduonum says the orchestra?s versatile nature gives it a leverage over others.

"We give our listeners the type of music they can?t get anywhere. We appeal to listeners of every culture, African or European, although we are careful never to sacrifice our African rhythms on the altar of Euro-American tastes. Our African identity is well-defined in our performances," he said.