Bassist Chi-Chi Nwanoku is more than a world-class performer. She also promotes music by composers of color in Europe through her Chineke! Foundation. She has supported an adult and youth orchestra to give professional experience to musicians of color who might otherwise struggle to find a voice in the world of classical music. 

Musical selections from Chi-Chi Nwanoku

Tom Johnson: Failing: A Very Difficult Piece for Solo String Bass

During an episode of Strings, Bows and Bellows on BBC 2, Nwanoku talks and performs an experimental work by composer Tom Johnson. From early on in her career she has had a mission to bring to the forefront music that is either underappreciated or underrepresented.

Franz Schubert: Trout Quintet - I. Allegro Vivace

The Chineke! Chamber Players performed Franz Schubert's Piano Quintet in A major (Trout) at the St. James's Church in Piccadilly, London. This iteration of the group includes Nwanoku (double bass), Rakhi Singh (violin), Clifton Harrison (viola), Eve-Marie Caravassilis (cello) and Jean-Bernard Marie (piano).

Credits

Host: Tesfa Wondemagegnehu

Producer: Dan Nass

Writers: Andrea Blain and Scott Blankenship

Executive Producer: Julie Amacher