"In a world where political instability all too often leads to civil unrest and conflict, South Africa's peaceful transition from a repressive apartheid regime to today's vibrant democracy is a truly miraculous achievement.
The Quartet of Peace consists of four instruments dedicated to South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, the four remarkable men who helped create the new South Africa, Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. The brainchild of the violin maker, Brian Lisus, the Quartet of Peace instruments have already given concerts in South Africa and Leipzig, Germany. The 5 December concert at Kings Place is the official launch of the Quartet of Peace project which will raise money to help children affected by war and poverty. This concert, generously supported by the LCMS, will include the UK premiere of Eugene Skeef's new quartet 'Uxolo' (Forgiveness) and will raise money for the charity, Musequality.
At the pre-concert talk Brian Lisus will be joined by David Juritz, founder of Musequality, who plays the Luthuli violin in the quartet, and by Skeef whose life has been shaped by his experiences as a political activist during the struggle and especially by the death of his close friend, Steve Biko.
A short film about the making of the instruments will be followed by a discussion on the experience of playing on the new instruments, Skeef's new quartet, the work of Musequality in bringing music education to disadvantaged children and their hopes for the Quartet of Peace project."
