Upcoming events.

Nov
23

CTCS Presents The Signum Quartet

The Cape Town Concert Series presents the award winning Signum String Quartet from Germany. The ensemble includes South African Xandi van Dijk on viola, Florian Donderer and Annette Walther on violin and Thomas Schmitz on cello Their programme is a South African celebration entitled Bridge the Chasms That Divide with compositions especially commissioned by the Signum Quartet with the support of
the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.

The tour is supported by the "Goethe Institute" and Volker Schütte, South African Honorary Consul in Bremen (Germany)

More info here

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Nov
4
to 10 Nov

“Always, Already There: An Incubator for Afrodiasporic New Music” - Concerts, Talks, Panel Discussions, Workshops

The Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin, Germany (HKW, House of World Cultures) is sponsoring the residency “Always, Already There:  An Incubator for Afrodiasporic New Music,” from November 4-10, 2024. The project includes public rehearsals and concerts, workshops, lectures and panel discussions, with the goal of collectively nurturing and developing new modes of expertise on contemporary Afrodiasporic sonic experimentalism, as well as presenting perspectives that have been largely ignored in academic research, concert programs, and journalistic coverage, especially in Europe.  The residency offers professionals, students and the interested public an insight into the work of a new generation of Afrodiasporic composers, and is intended to demonstrate the important role that new music from the African diaspora can play as an intercultural and cross-generational incubator for new themes, stories and identities. 

George Lewis, Professor of American music at Columbia University and artistic director of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) from New York, will serve as guest curator for this project. Eight musicians from ICE and twenty composers and sound artists from around the Afrodiasporic world of new music will be participating.

Participants:
Leila Adu-Gilmore, Jessie Cox, Daniele Daude, Jessica Ekomane, Douglas R. Ewart, Cedrik Fermont, Anthony R. Green, Satch Hoyt, Nyokabi Kariũki, Hannah Kendall, Andile Khumalo, Harald Kisiedu, George Lewis, Monthati Masebe, Elaine Mitchener, Jalalu-Kalvert Nelson, Shelly Phillips, Njabulo Phungula, Alyssa Regent, Corie Rose Soumah, Charles Uzor, Christina Wheeler, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Com Chor Berlin

Supported by the Capital Cultural Fund

With the friendly support of Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung

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Sept
10
to 28 Sept

Darkroom Contemporary: autoplay

  • Secret location in Kloof Street, Cape Town (Starting at Longkloof Studios) (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

autoplay is a surreal encounter between human and machine. The performance conjures a moving landscape that ebbs, shifts and transforms as it frames the experience. autoplay is an immersive multi-discipline production, with the calibre for which Darkroom Contemporary have become renowned. 

This hybrid work by Louise Coetzer blends dance, Live Art performance, sound installation and digital processing to bring dance theatre to a range of alternate dimensions. The performance features a new original score by renowned music artists Brydon Bolton (Benguela) and Njabulo Phungula, performed by vocalist Inge Beckmann(Lark, Beast). 

Staged in a secret location in Kloof Street, Cape Town, viewers are invited into a multi-faceted arena where the performance reimagines itself for every audience.

The initial meeting point for the performance will be the fountain on Longkloof Square, at Longkloof Studios.

autoplay is produced by multiple award-winning Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre and will be performed from 10 - 28 September at a uniquely transformed site within Longkloof Studios in Cape Town.

Performances: September 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

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May
5

2024 Henri Lazarof Chamber Concert

Henri Lazarof: String Quartet No. 8 “Hommage to Paul Klee”

Bohuslav Martinu: Three Madrigals for violin and viola

Njabulo Phungula: Trio for French horn, violin and piano (*world premiere, winner of 2023 Henri Lazarof International Commission Prize)

Henri Lazarof: Trio for French horn, violin and piano

Performed by the Lydian String Quartet, hornist Clark Matthews, violinist Markus Placci, and pianist Heng-Jin Park

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Feb
18

PULSE#9

PULSE (string quartet)

In PULSE#9, the progressive string quartet PULSE presents music by the producer JLIN, the New York saxophonist John Zorn, the South African Njabulo Phungula and the composer Béla Bartok, who was inspired by his travels in Eastern Europe. A colorful program with influences from electro, jazz, free jazz and folk.

Béla Bartók: String Quartet No.4
JLIN: Little Black Book
John Zorn: The Dead Man
Njabulo Phungula: like knotted strings

Tickets available here

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Feb
16

Quartett x Zwei: PULSE und Hanse-Quartett

Programm:

Hanse Quartett: Tsukushi Sasaki, Violine Ladina Casutt, Violine Kirill Volkov, Viola Elias Wagner, Violoncello

Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994): Streichquartett (1964)
_______

PULSE: Johannes Haase, Violine Lola Rubio, Violine Yuko Hara, Viola Jakob Nierenz, Cello

Béla Bártok (1881-1945): Streichquartett Nr. 4 (1928)
Njabulo Phungula (*1993): like knotted strings (2022) Europäische Erstaufführung
JLIN (*1987): Little Black Book (2018, arr. Jacok Garchik)

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Feb
13

SACM Staff Showcase Concert

The Director of the South African College of Music, Prof Andrew Lilley, invites you to the 2024 SACM Staff Showcase Concert. This will be the opening concert in the SACM’s Tuesday evening concert series. The concert will feature performances by lecturers in Opera, Classical, Jazz and African /Pan African music sections including François du Toit (piano), Farida Bacharova (violin), Brandon Phillips (bassoon), Liesl Stoltz (flute), Annelize de Villiers (clarinet), Violina Anguelov-Hobbs (mezzo soprano), Patrick Tikolo (baritone), Paulina Malefane (soprano), Sipho Fubesi (tenor), Lisa Engelbrecht (vocals & piano), Rick Deja, Bronwen Clacherty, Thabisa Dinga and Keketso Bolofo (traditional African instruments), Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis (jazz vocals), Abigail Petersen (jazz vocals), Justin Bellairs (saxophones), Blake Hellaby (piano), Stephen De Souza (Bass), Joshua Klein (drums), and more.

Bound objects is featured on this concert programme.

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Nov
30

ISCM World New Music Days 2023: ISCM UJ Concert 4

Experience the magic of ensemble and chamber music at ISCM UJ Concert 4, a captivating event held at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre. Join us for an enchanting evening featuring a curated selection of pieces from the ISCM Call for Works, showcasing the exceptional talents of the Odeion String Quartet and the dynamic duo Khanyisile Mthetwa & Peter Cartwright, both from South Africa.

Delve into a diverse repertoire that includes African and centennial pieces by acclaimed composers such as Conrad Asman, Musa Nkuna, Alexander Johnson, Hendrik Hofmeyr, and more.
The program also presents ISCM pieces, including:

Njabulo Phungula's "like knotted strings" from South Africa (African premiere)
Nguyen Ngoc Tu's "String Quartet No.3" from Vietnam (South African premiere), and
Michaela (Mika) Cornelius's "The Sounding Sea" from New Zealand (South African premiere)

Don't miss this exceptional musical journey that bridges cultures and celebrates the universal language of music. Join us for an evening of artistic brilliance and cultural exploration.

Venue: Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, University of Johannesburg (Kingsway Campus), Corner of Kingsway Ave and University Rd, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2092

Ticket Price: Free

Tickets here

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Nov
18

Deep Time: A festival of new music - Yshani Perinpanayagam and Katherine Tinker: Provocation vs Play

Programme 

George Crumb Celestial Mechanics [Makrokosmos IV] Cosmic Dances for Amplified Piano, 1979  

Claudia Molitor Polymer Hauntings, 2022 

Max Syedtollan Electric Organ Duo, 2023 (world premiere) 

Njabulo Phungula Playground Postcard, 2020 

Gillian Walker Title tbc, 2023 (world premiere) 

Uri Agnon Put Your Hands Together [for late capitalism], 2022

With society’s ever-increasing political polarisation, the temptation to shout louder in order to reach those who feel ideologically far from us is immense. However, as the battles over the climate crisis continue to rage on, it is clear that this combative communication structure often results in those in opposition feeling more defensive of their existing view.   

In this concert, Yshani Perinpanayagam and Katherine Tinker will explore an alternative way forward, turning to art for one of its strongest powers: bringing people together, through cooperation, collaboration and play. It is no mistake that we play games and play music; the idea of play can make concepts too-messy for words far more accessible.  Play is connection. Play demands concentration, imagination and innovation, the very qualities that can lead us towards solutions to the challenges that face us today. 

The programme will start with George Crumb’s epic Celestial Mechanics [Makrokosmos IV] Cosmic Dances for Amplified Piano in which a rich and expansive kaleidoscope of sound is created, exploring the timelessness of the universe.The programme then moves to the urgency of the present moment: Claudia Molitor’s Polymer Hauntings is a requiem to fossil fuel, using one of its most day-to-day, visible manifestations: plastic. Ideas of activism, cooperation and play are then investigated in pieces by Max Syedtollan, Gillian Walker, and finally in Uri Agnon’s Put Your Hands Together [for late capitalism]: light-hearted and mischievous in its use of a simple gesture from both performer and audience member – a clap – to affect change.

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Oct
13

ERSO FACTORY

In October, ERSO’s ensembles will perform at Paavli Cultural Factory, which opened its doors this spring. In a concert venue located in the territory of a former fishing industry in Northern Tallinn, we immerse ourselves in the industrial soundscapes.

Concert organiser ERSO

Elis Hallik
Tuning the Iron

Steve Reich
New York Counterpoint
TAAVI ORRO klarnet

Jacob TV
String Quartet No. 2 - Postnuclear Winterscenario
KRISTEL KIIK violin, MAAREN VIHERMÄE violin, MAIRIT MITT-BRONIKOWSKA viola, VILLU VIHERMÄE cello

Missy Mazzioli
A Thousand Tongues
THEODOR SINK cello

Mokale Koapeng
Komeng
KRISTEL KIIK violin, MAAREN VIHERMÄE violin, MAIRIT MITT-BRONIKOWSKA viola, VILLU VIHERMÄE cello

Njabulo Phungula
Abyss (Estonian premiere)

More info and tickets here

Watch the broadcast here

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Sept
20
to 22 Sept

South African Strings Foundation Composition Competition/South African Composers' Symposium: Workshops + Finals Concert

The final round of the South African Strings Foundation Composers' Competition will be presented at 16h30 on 22 September in the Endler hall at the University of Stellenbosch as part of the South African Composers Symposium. This is a unique opportunity to experience and listen to five newly composed works for uhadi and string quintet by talented and emerging South African composers. The finalists for this competition are Natali Frenz, Njabulo Phungula, Chesney Palmer, Owen Dalton and Reece Rivalland. Each composer will receive the opportunity to workshop their composition with the ensemble before the concert. The adjudicators are Prof Hans Roosenschoon, Dr Ncebakazi Mnukwana and Matthijs van Dijk. After the concert there will be a short break followed by the award ceremony.

Performers: Dizu Plaatjies (uhadi), Thandeka Mfinyongo (uhadi), Bronwen Clacherty (uhadi), Annien Shaw (violin), David Bester (violin), Remi Ludick (viola), Babette Roosenschoon (violoncello) and Mariechen Meyer (double bass).

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Mar
8

Ensemble Recherche - Spotted: Subsahara

Ensemble Recherche performs contemporary music from South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Works by Njabulo Phungula, Monthati Masebe, Ayò Olúránti, Bongani Ndodana-Breen, Tebogo Monnakgotla.
Bongani Ndodana-Breen, curator
Steloolive, Sound-Artist, DJ

In cooperation with the Goethe-Institut. The concert will be recorded by Deutschlandfunk.

Tickets may be purchased here.

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Mar
8

Pekko Aakko: Student Recital

Pekko Aakko performs Bassoon repertoire

Bassoon, Pekko Aakko
Piano, Timo Latonen

Free admission to the concert.

Henri Duttileux - Sarabande et cortége for bassoon and piano

Njabulo Phungula - Circles (Finnish Premiere)

Libby Larsen - Jazz variations on a solo bassinet

Alexandre Tansman - Sonatine for bassoon and piano

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Feb
22

Prelude | Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía

Program

BEETHOVEN, Ludwig van
Sonata for violin and piano in C minor op 30 no. 2

PHUNGULA, Njabulo
Circles for solo bassoon

(Javier Sanz Pascual, bassoon)

LARSEN, Libby
Jazz Variations for solo bassoon

MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus
Concerto for bassoon and orchestra in B flat major K 191 (bassoon and piano reduction)

SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitry
Sonata for viola and piano in C major op 147

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Jan
28

JACK Studio Festival - JACK Quartet

  • Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall, Mannes School of Music (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

In a day-long affair, JACK presents five premieres by JACK Studio artists, as well as additional performances by the Kodak Quartet and Bergamot Quartet.

The first and fourth concerts of the day are by the JACK Quartet. The second and third by the Kodak and Bergamot quartets.

Note: Tickets are free. You need to RSVP for each of the four concerts you wish to attend, here https://event.newschool.edu/jackstudiofestival.

JACK Quartet - Concert 1: 4:00PM to 4:45PM
Michele Cheng: Jaack (world premiere)
X. Lee: SYNERGY (world premiere)

JACK Quartet - Concert 4: 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Amy Brandon: Blacklight (world premiere)
Joy Guidry: What are DSLs? (world premiere)
Njabulo Phungula: like knotted strings (world premiere)

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Nov
5

"Postcolonial Recherche" feature broadcast on Deustchlandfunk - "Atelier neuer Musik"

New Music Forum 2022 “Con doble mirada”

Postcolonial Research Fellows

By Leonie Reineke

How contemporary is the new music today if it continues to be so Eurocentric? And what could be done to change that? In cooperation with the Goethe-Institut, the Freiburg ensemble Recherche invited ten composers from developing and emerging countries to an artistic exchange in spring. For a year, as a virtual learning community, they will work on musical sketches, performances and discourses - with the aim of creating as many different perspectives as possible. Musical works by some of the participants, such as Macri Cáceres, Monthati Masebe and Adrian Mokanu, are also included in a radio evening with which the Ensemble Recherche takes part in the Deutschlandfunk Forum for New Music. Author Leonie Reineke sheds light on the research project and gives an introduction to the topics and questions of this year's forum, which calls for decolonial views of contemporary music.

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Oct
21

Charles W. Bolen Faculty Recital: Midori Samson, bassoon

Featuring commissioned works and pre-recorded remarks by each composer:

  • Grace Bernard Oforka: Chegharia and Nkowa (2018)

  • Kaghondi wm Mwanga: A Nightmare (2020)

  • Elsa M’bala: graphic score eins (2020)

  • Katleho Mothae: Ode to Life (2021)

  • Njabulo Phungula: Circles (2018)

  • Mohamed Dainkeh: Faya Faya Faya (2017)

  • Peace Jolis: Mbwira (2020)

More info here

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Oct
11

Ensemble Recherche: Postcolonial Recherche

Ensemble Recherche performs World Premieres from Iran, Peru, South Africa and Ukraine.

As part of its "A Postcolonial Recherche" project, Ensemble Recherche invited ten composers and sound artists from developing countries and emerging economies to an artistic exchange. They discussed (post-)colonialism and condensed their knowledge into artistic results, moderated by the South African composer Bongani Ndodana-Breen, a 2021-2022 fellow at Yale and Harvard. Now at the end of the one-year project period, there are musical performances and hopefully some insight in our own patterns of evaluation.

Ensemble Recherche performs five of the resulting works interspersed with video statements from the composers, who share their stories and learnings from this intensely collaboartive experience.

Program

Rojin Monibi – Qabz-o-Bast
Macri Cáceres – Micrography
Monthati Masebe – Mba
Adrian Mokanu – Les chevaux de feu
Njabulo Phungula – a tap releases the new harmony

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