Upcoming events.
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)
Eva Zöllner: Sterkfontein Composers Meeting - Concert
Artist-in-residence Eva Zöllner premieres works for accordion, written by participants of the Sterkfontein Composers Meeting.
Time and full details TBC
Signum Quartet: Residenz@Sendesaal “bridge the chasms that divide” – 30 years since the fall of apartheid in South Africa
Signum Quartet
Neo Muyanga: eMthini we Mbumba (Tree of gathering)
Thandi Ntuli: in the land where she is king
Dizu Plaatjies/ Matthijs van Dijk: 21:30
Denise Onen
Njabulo Phungula
Lise Morrison
Monthati Masebe
Abel Selaocoe
impuls Festival 2025: Klangforum Wien
At the impuls Festival in Graz, Austria, Klangforum Wien premieres new works by Damián Gorandi, Jieun Jeong, Piyawat Louilarpprasert, Njabulo Phungula, and Kelley Sheehan.
Date subject to change.
Vimbayi Kaziboni, conductor
Signum Quartet: bridge the chasms that divide
Signum Quartet
bridge the chasms that divide
First showing of the complete project
Neo Muyanga: eMthini we Mbumba (Tree of gathering)
Thandi Ntuli: in the land where she is king
Dizu Plaatjies/ Matthijs van Dijk: 21:30
Denise Onen*
Njabulo Phungula*
Lise Morrison*
Monthati Masebe*
Abel Selaocoe*
*New works
The Wide-Open Mouth: Concert: Com Chor Berlin, directed by Shelly Phillips, and International Contemporary Ensemble
Com Chor Berlin, directed by Shelly Phillips, and International Contemporary Ensemble
Concert
Music of: Elaine Mitchener, Njabulo Phungula, Fay Victor, Anthony R. Green, Monthati Masebe, Shelly Phillips
Composing While Black I: Panel Discussion
Composing While Black I
Panel Discussion: Jessica Ekomane, Anthony R. Green, Hannah Kendall, Monthati Masebe, Njabulo Phungula, moderated by Jessie Cox
In English
Free entry
African Art Music Today: Panel Discussion
African Art Music Today
Panel Discussion: Nyokabi Kariũki, Monthati Masebe, Njabulo Phungula, moderated by Andile Khumalo
In English
Free Entry
“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
Darkroom Contemporary: autoplay
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.
Mizar Trio: Symposium of South African Composers
Mizar Trio
Louisa Theart flutes
Rosamund Ender cello
Dylan Tabisher marimba/vibraphone
Conrad Asman Sea for Swimming for solo alto flute
Matthijs van Dijk The Rain Next Door
Njabulo Phungula Parallel Flows
additional works TBC
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
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
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)
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.
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
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.
Presentation/Discussion for Dalhousie University composition students
I will give a online lecture/presentation on my music to composition students at Dalhousie House, where I discuss my works “a tap releases the new harmony”, “like knotted strings”, and “Bound objects”.
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)
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).
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.
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
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
JACK Studio Festival - JACK Quartet
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)
"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.
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)
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
Yshani Perinpanayagam and Katherine Tinker, piano duo
Yshani Perinpanayagam and Katherine Tinker perform a selection of new music, including the first performance of my graphic score, Playground Postcard.
KOMPASS Ensemble: INSEKTEN
Relevant work: Weaving
The Kompass Ensemble gives the premiere performances of a number of miniature works.
Stephanie Lamprea: Ziksa Art Forum livestream
Streaming here
Work: Passing the Hues [world premiere]
“Stephanie gives demonstration of vocal extended techniques and performs unnacompanied vocal works by Reiko Fueting, Njabulo Phungula and Tiange Zhou. THis performance is graceously hostd by Ziksa - An Art Forum” - read more