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Mzansi conductor Ofentse Pitse describes performing with Alicia Keys as ‘sacred’
South African conductor Ofentse Pitse led an orchestral version of Alicia Keys’ If I Ain't Got You for Netflix in celebration of Queen Charlotte.
South African conductor Ofentse Pitse conducts an all women orchestra. Photo supplied
Ofentse Pitse described the collaboration with Alicia Keys and various women from all over the globe as a sacred experience. “It was a sacred experience because every one of us brought our own unique fullness to the project, which is a testament to what we bring to the table as women of colour, especially in a white, male-dominated industry,” Pitse explains to The Citizen.
According to the conductor who hails from Mabopane in Tshwane, she was recommended as one of a handful women of colour conductors in the world to work on a secret project for Netflix, celebrating Keys and the 20-year anniversary of her classic hit If I Ain’t Got You.
The song is part of the Shondaland production, Queen Charlotte.
“I was then ‘interviewed’ by Alicia Keys to see if I would be the right fit for the project,” says Pitse.
She received confirmation that she had been chosen to orchestrate and be a part of the concept for the re-imagined orchestral version of the song, with an all Women of Colour ensemble.
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The song was recorded on April 7 at AIR Studios in London, with the music video being shot on 11 and 12 April at UCS in London.
Pitse’s biggest takeaway
“My biggest takeaway is in the moments that I was able to share with Alicia and the other ladies, that were rooted in our understanding of how important this project is,” says the 30-year-old conductor.
Pitse also takes pride in how Keys quoted her, while speaking to the Netflix show creator, Shonda Rhimes, at the US premier of the series. “…in saying that we are now in spaces that our ancestors dreamed about, which was a highlight for me”.
The other songs that Pitse also worked on for the series include African Queen by 2Face, which was re-imagined by herself alongside Msaki, Nikita from Kenya and Fave from Nigeria. This wasn’t Pitse’s first time working with Msaki. The two collaborated at the Sun El and Friends concert in September last year.
“When we were rehearsing for the premiere of Queen Charlotte in South Africa, her performing Yakhal’inkomo by Sibongile Khumalo with me and the all-female ensemble at the event was an impromptu decision, which is also a testament to the creative chemistry she and I have,” said Pitse.
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