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South African Music in Transition: a Flutist's Perspective

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South African Music in Transition: a Flutist's Perspective South African Music in Transition: A Flutist‘s Perspective by Liesel Margrit Deppe A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts Faculty of Music University of Toronto © Copyright by Liesel Margrit Deppe (2012) South African Music in Transition: A Flutist‘s Perspective Liesel Margrit Deppe Doctor of Musical Arts Faculty of Music University of Toronto 2012 ABSTRACT In April 1994 the citizens of South Africa found themselves in the unique position of contemplating a new national culture; one that would for the first time embrace all South Africans, regardless of race, colour or religion. Official segregation, which began in 1948, ended with the first democratic election held in1994. Cross-cultural awareness in South Africa emerged in the 1980s. Within this temporal context, this investigation will trace parallel developments in the South African classical music genre and will relate these developments to the concurrent socio-political environment. Looking specifically at music written for the flute, the selected works were composed for the flute as a solo instrument, or in combination with up to four other instruments by a cross-section of South African composers who either live in South Africa or who have South African roots. The works included in this study were composed roughly ten years before and after 1994; the purpose being to document the changes that were taking place in South African Art Music leading up to the first democratic election and during the exciting times that followed. The main component of this research is the analysis of the works of nine South African composers, examining cross-cultural content in the musical form: Michael Blake (Honey- Gathering Song, Leaf Carrying Song), Robert Fokkens (Inyoka Etshanini, Cycling to Langa), Hendrik Hofmeyr (Marimba), Hans Huyssen (The Cattle Have Gone Astray), Bongani ii Ndodana-Breen (Visions I and II), Isak Roux (Sketches, Four African Scenes), Martin Scherzinger (Whistle of the Circle Movement), Becky Steltzner (Hambani Kakuhle Kwela) and Kevin Volans (Walking Song). Biographical information and compositional philosophies are also included for each composer. In addition, publisher and recording details are provided where they exist. The works contained in this document are organized by cross-cultural borrowing technique: overt cross-cultural borrowing, borrowing guided by African music-making principles, African paraphrasing, and inspirational landscape painting. A brief history of Art Music in South Africa is provided, as is an overview of African musics and instruments. The analysis of each work considers African musical influences and their incorporation, while performance suggestions will also elucidate unique African aspects of the music. iii Acknowledgments I wish to express my thanks to the many people who have supported me over the last four years. Without them this body of work would not have been possible. I am very thankful to my supervisor, Dr. Gillian MacKay, who guided me from the initial level and supported me towards the final stages of this work. Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds and Camille Watts are committee members who also offered advice and support at various times throughout the process. Dr. Jeff Packman provided invaluable insight and helped me to develop an understanding of the ethical issues involved in cross-cultural borrowing. I am indebted to my friends, Douglas Bors and Eva Szekely, for general inspiration on dissertation-writing, reading of the lecture-recital, and the frequent dinners. Jaye Marsh-Graham also kindly proofread all the chapters. My husband, Andrew MacDonald, has patiently weathered all the ups-and-downs with me over the past four years. I thank him for his financial support and for allowing me the freedom to pursue my dreams. iv Table of Contents ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................. ii Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... v List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures............................................................................................................................ x List of Appendices .................................................................................................................... xi Chapter One .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Definition of Terms ........................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Culture and Society: A Music in Transition ................................................................. 5 1.4 A History of Art Music in South Africa ...................................................................... 13 Chapter Two............................................................................................................................ 21 2.1 Kevin Volans (b. 1949)................................................................................................. 23 2.1.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 23 2.1.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 23 2.2 Michael Blake (b. 1951) ............................................................................................... 27 2.2.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 27 2.2.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 27 2.3 Becky Steltzner (b. 1956) ............................................................................................. 31 2.3.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 31 2.3.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 31 2.4 Hendrik Hofmeyr (b. 1957) ......................................................................................... 33 2.4.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 33 2.4.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 34 v 2.5 Isak Roux (b. 1959) ...................................................................................................... 36 2.5.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 36 2.5.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 36 2.6 Hans Huyssen (b. 1964) ............................................................................................... 38 2.6.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 38 2.6.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 38 2.7 Martin Scherzinger (b. 1966) ...................................................................................... 40 2.7.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 40 2.7.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 40 2.8 Robert Fokkens (b. 1975) ............................................................................................ 43 2.8.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 43 2.8.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 43 2.9 Bongani Ndodana-Breen (b. 1975) .............................................................................. 45 2.9.1 Biography ......................................................................................................... 45 2.9.2 Compositional Style ......................................................................................... 46 Chapter Three ......................................................................................................................... 50 3.1 Indigenous Elements and Ethics ................................................................................. 50 3.2 Characteristics of African Music ................................................................................ 50 3.3 African Instruments .................................................................................................... 56 3.4 A summary of the African influences on the works discussed in Chapter Four ....... 60 3.5 On Musical Appropriation .......................................................................................... 65 3.5.1 Ethical Concerns .............................................................................................
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