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South African quartet plays for peace

Tessa Kruger, 8 December 2010

A group of internationally acclaimed South African musicians have come together to form a Quartet of Peace that is using classical  music to promote worldwide the ideals of reconciliation, freedom and hope represented by South Africa's four Nobel Peace laureates. Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk are the inspiration behind the quartet's formation.

The Quartet of Peace consists of David Juritz, also leader of the London Mozart Players; Suzanne Martens, previous concert master of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and a lecturer in the University of Stellenbosch's music faculty; Gareth Lubbe, principal violist of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany; and Peter Martens, former principal cellist of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and currently artistic administrator and director of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival.

Music fosters reconciliation

The remarkable project is the realization of world-renowned luthier Brian Lisus' dream – held since Mandela's inauguration as President of South Africa in 1994 – to use music to foster peace and reconciliation in the world. His vision has become a reality as friends with a passion for classical music and string instruments have rallied around him, offering their assistance to get the Quartet of Peace project off the ground.

And since the eminent musicians have volunteered their talents at no cost, the project has developed into a large initiative receiving interest and support from the French minister of arts and culture and the London Chamber Music Society, among others.

Lisus hand-crafted brand new string instruments for members of the quartet. The four instruments carry the inscriptions of peace, reconciliation, hope and freedom on the back - the Mandela cello is named Hope, the Luthuli violin is Freedom, the Tutu violin is Peace, and the De Klerk viola is Reconciliation.

Message of peace

Furthermore, the musicians are taking the message of peace to local and international audiences with the music of accomplished South African-born composer, percussionist and poet Skeef, now resident in London.Skeef's involvement in the initiative is interesting, as he was a young activist during apartheid who co-led literacy campaigns in schools and communities across South Africa. He currently serves on the board of directors of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, among many other commitments.

The prominent artists were all inspired by the idea of taking the ideals of Mandela, Tutu, De Klerk and Luthuli to the world. They were also motivated by the fact that concert proceeds go towards Musequality projects that uplift and heal children who are disadvantaged and at risk. One of these, the Hout Bay Music Project, teaches 60 children to play string instruments and drums and also offers lessons in life skills. Another, Melodi Music in Soweto, starts children off on the recorder before they advance to other woodwind instruments. The intention is also to help disadvantaged children and child refugees on the African continent, as music is proving to facilitate healing in youngsters who have experienced hardships early in life.

Lisus worked around the clock to complete the cello, the last instrument made for the quartet. He said it had been a long journey to see the initiative come to fruition, but the involvement of "wonderful people" was overwhelming. The violinmaker added that he looked forward to hear the musicians play on his handcrafted instruments and to see the concerts supporting music projects for children around the world.

"The Quartet of Peace must make everybody aware of the South African ideals; we want to inspire the world to peace and reconciliation – to walk in the footsteps of Mandela, Tutu, Luthuli and De Klerk."

Read more:http://www.southafrica.info/about/arts/quartetofpeace.htm#ixzz1qM9qc8Zo

Given the date of the article, this is obviously old news.

However, today is the first I'd heard about it.

I was listening to the BBC while running some errands, 
and heard a segment about a recent performance of 
The Quartet of Peace.

What a lovely idea!