Sona Jobarteh and the Philharmonic orchestra

I can’t think of a better venue for an orchestra than the Roundhouse. Originally built in 1846 as a steam engine turntable, the converted structure- with its circular central stage - is not only visually stunning, but also acoustically rich, allowing the sound of over 80 instruments to reverberate around the audience. As part of the Roundhouse’s Three Sixty festival - designed to challenge conventions and spotlight today’s most exciting artists - the Philharmonia Orchestra was joined by Gambian kora prodigy Sona Jobarteh for a captivating program that bridged Western classical and African musical traditions.

Conducted by Ellie Slorach, European classics from the likes of Bach, Elgar, and Vivaldi were featured in the first half, interwoven with the delicate kora compositions of special guest Tunde Jegede, and a solo by Sona’s father and teacher, Sanjally Jobarteh. If anyone embodies the intersection of these two global styles, it’s Tunde. Born in England to Nigerian heritage, he first studied classical music at a prestigious institution before moving to Africa to immerse himself in the teachings of the kora.

Sona Jobarteh took to the stage in the second half, first joined by her son Sidiki for a xylophone and kora duet—a piece written as a love letter to originality. The family appearances in this performance are symbolic of Sona’s remarkable lineage. As a member of one of the five principal griot families, the kora holds deep significance to her Mundang culture, with its playing traditionally passed down exclusively from father to son. Sona is the first female virtuoso to break that tradition and rise to international acclaim.

We closed with the phenomenal world premier of Na Baluwu, a composition charting her musical influence from Napoli to Banjul, including a medley of her most popular hits. The effortless integration of the Kora and percussion amongst the rest of the ensemble show how the foundational elements of both styles; harmonies, call and responses and crescendos, share commonalities across borders.

Sona pushes her cultural heritage forward not only by redefining gender norms, but through a style that embraces modernity whilst preserving the enduring beauty of the past. Her night at the roundhouse with the Philharmonia Orchestra shows the importance of innovative programming in breathing new life into tradition.