Diversity in classical music
Cellist Dr Thokozani Mhlambi’s creative process is as much intellectual as it is artistic. l SUPPLIED
CLASSICAL music has been a major force and catalyst in the lives of three musicians who have hit a high note in their careers.
Cellist Dr Thokozani Mhlambi, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) conductor Brandon Phillips and violinist Rory Africa, shared with the Weekend Argus how classical music transformed their lives.
Fresh off the back of a 10-week North American tour, acclaimed South African cellist, Dr Thokozani Mhlambi will be performing at the South African College of Music in Rondebosch on October 8.
The multi-disciplinary artist performs songs in Zulu using the cello and his voice. He is known also known for including art and exhibitions in his performances.
In 2020, he completed an artistic residency at the prestigious Cite International des Arts in Paris, France.
“I felt maxed out in my capacity in this industry while in South Africa. The time allowed me to zone in on my creativity. That experience was affirming for my artist child,” he added.
Mhlambi had the honour of his music being used as a soundtrack for an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
His love for the cello started when he was 14 the year after his mother, Ntombimpela Mhlambi, died.
“I sought a distraction, and music served that purpose for me. I encountered it at school,” he said.
“Due to my upbringing in a township and my experience as the only black child carrying an instrument, I became accustomed to doing my own thing,” he added.
“Singing and playing this instrument is challenging. It calls for a specific technique that isn't present when you learn to play the instrument."
His secret to presenting a multi-faceted performance is devoting all his time to it.
“I use all my time on honing my craft. I am either playing the cello, researching or composing at any time. It’s a constant rotation between all of it,” he said.
The KwaZulu-Natal artist prioritises using art to convey African stories and philosophies.
“I use a process that requires research to create my music. My creative method combines intellect and creativity in that it necessitates extensive research,” he said.
“For people to be able to connect with the music, the discussion surrounding it is also important,” he added.
Mhlambi’s cultural tour encompassed a series of performances, panel discussions and museum visits across North America. The cellist said there was a lot of excitement about his music.
“Audiences were hungry for a South African sound. A lot of people were dancing on their feet,” he said.
Since its inception, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) has established two youth orchestras, three string ensembles, the CPO Music Academy and the Masidlale Grassroots Projects, with the goal of transformation.
In July, the orchestra hosted its community spectacular, presenting a wealth of young talented South African musicians, singers and dancers some of whom performed with the multi-functional orchestra for the first time.
CPO conductor Brandon Phillips said the community spectacular was established to fill a perceived gap.
“We need to support young artists and musicians as much as we can. Initiatives like this are driven by giving artists and musicians the first experience of performing on stage,” he said.
Phillips said diversity was of utmost importance in music.
“People have varying cultural backgrounds within our orchestra, communities and audience. It is a joy to give the audience a peak at their culture," he said.
He continued: "When people attend concerts, they fall in love with music that resonates with them and their history."
“The orchestra is diverse, and thankfully they can play any kind of music, so they can adapt and relate accordingly."
Young people have expressed a lot of interest in joining the orchestra and its projects, said Phillips.
“We have community projects on a Saturday at Rondebosch East Primary where young kids from the communities get to learn theory and how to play instruments,” he said.
“There is a lot of education in the development sector of the CPO. We want to attract young people to showcase their talent,” he added.
“We believe in inviting them first, educating them secondly and performing for them lastly. After that, they tend to be blown away and have an increased excitement to join the CPO.”
The CPO’s community projects include a junior string ensemble, a senior string ensemble, the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and a junior and senior wind band.
Cape Town violinist Rory Africa said he was introduced to music through the New Apostolic Church when he was eight years old.
“I first played the recorder and later discovered my love and passion for the violin,” he said.
“Later in life, I went to music school and university where I changed to the viola,” he added.
Africa graduated with a diploma and postgraduate diploma in music performance from UCT in 2021.
Africa said learning how to play the violin was an accessible activity for him because his sister, Lindy, played before he did.
“We received private lessons from a member of our congregation. I had a violin on loan to me until I eventually purchased my violin,” he said.
He added: “As I became more proficient on my instrument, I required a more advanced one. It became much more pricey, so I held fundraisers to purchase my instrument.”
Africa said he was inspired to play the instrument since the day he first saw it.
“I fell in love with it and always knew that music was the profession I wanted to be in,” he said.
“I’ve looked up to Brandon since a young age. As a person of colour, seeing someone who looks like me being in this industry, I knew there was a chance for me to succeed in this,” he added.