Celebrating 20 years of music: the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival
Kevin Harris whose specially commissioned work 'RESONANCE' will receive its world premiere at SICMF
Image: Robert Torres
The Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) is set to captivate audiences as it celebrates its 20th anniversary with an extraordinary line-up of concerts, masterclasses, and performances from 4 to 13 July at the US Konservatorium in Stellenbosch.
Among the highlights of this prestigious festival is the world premiere of "RESONANCE," an original composition by acclaimed Boston-based jazz pianist Kevin Harris, scheduled for 8 July.
Harris's piece is a contemporary symphonic reflection inspired by the words and actions of anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko, a titan of the Black Consciousness movement. Drawing from Biko's written works, Harris's composition offers a profound exploration of social justice, encouraging audiences to look beyond the surface into the stories of those often relegated to the shadows, encouraging audiences to look beyond the surface into the stories of those often relegated to the shadows.
'It's an invitation for audiences to reflect on those who suffer in the shadows while also upsetting those who comfortably benefit from status quo,' Harris explained.
Kevin Harris who will pay homage to Steve Biko at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF
Image: Robert Torres
Artistic Director Nina Schumann has consistently used the SICMF platform to spotlight anti-Apartheid voices, ensuring that legacies like Biko's remain alive in the public consciousness. This year's festival is no exception; Harris's world premiere continues a commendable tradition that has previously featured the works of revered activists and artists.
The SICMF has become known for commissioning compositions that resonate deeply with South African history and culture. Past premieres include poignant tributes to figures such as Denis Goldberg and Johnny Clegg. The festival strives to weave historical narratives and music into an enlightening tapestry that educates and inspires future generations.
This year, Kevin Harris will be accompanied by spoken word artist Namisa Mdlalose, with a rhythm section featuring Lumanyano Biza on drums and Stephen de Souza on bass. The piece will be conducted by Xandi van Dijk, with a faculty ensemble from SICMF contributing to the rich, hybrid musical experience that brings together classical and jazz traditions.
Also a dedicated educator, Harris will host workshops focusing on contemporary improvisational methods for classical performers, aiming to bridge the gap between jazz and classical disciplines. His innovative approach has shown promising results, enabling musicians trained in the European classical tradition to explore their own improvisational creativity.
"RESONANCE" benefits from the generous support of the Ernst von Siemens Foundation, which has also facilitated several unique premieres on the 2025 SICMF programme, ensuring ongoing growth and diversity within the chamber music landscape.
As the festival unfolds in Stellenbosch, attendees can expect not just a celebration of music, but a meaningful engagement with the histories that shape our present.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
The Labubu craze: A toy sculpture sells for R2. 6 million in China
Labubu figures are displayed at a Pop Mart store in Shanghai, China. Image: STRINGER / IC photo / Imaginechina via AFP A Beijing auction house has sold a four-foot-tall sculpture of a viral plush toy character for more than $150,000 (R2.6 million), as global demand for the Chinese-designed Labubu dolls reaches fever pitch. The rabbit-like figures sporting mischievous grins began as a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung and are made by Beijing-based toy brand Pop Mart. They have been endorsed by celebrities such as Rihanna and Dua Lipa, and fans have queued overnight outside stores hoping to snag one, with analysts pointing to the phenomenon as evidence of China's growing soft power. On Tuesday, a teal sculpture depicting a Labubu character with a furry body and head fetched an eye-watering 1.08 million yuan ($150,260) at an auction held in Beijing, according to the auction house's app. The sculpture is "the only piece of its kind in the world", according to Yongle International Auction. It was offered alongside other Labubu paraphernalia, including a brown statue that sold for 820,000 yuan. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Pop Mart has over 400 stores globally, including 30 US branches. The worldwide frenzy has seen people go to desperate lengths to acquire their own Labubu. Last month, a London branch of Pop Mart suspended in-store sales of the toys, fearing violence from would-be buyers who failed to get their hands on the limited-edition Labubus. In Singapore, CCTV footage captured a family stealing Labubu dolls from a claw machine, according to Singaporean online media outlet AsiaOne. Burglars broke into a store in California last week and took several Labubu dolls along with electronics and other valuables, American news outlet ABC reported. In China, the toys have been promised as freebies for new bank customers -- an incentive quickly shut down by local regulators, according to Chinese media reports. The toys have spawned a booming resale market as well as an online community of fans sharing tips on how to customise their dolls. Knockoffs, many of which are also made in China, have flooded online platforms, dubbed "Lafufus" by social media users. AFP
TimesLIVE
20 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Five minutes with rising star Mayten on being authentically African
Mayten, real name Meshack Siwela, is a Pretoria-based singer on a mission to leave his mark in the industry. His debut hit single Karolina positioned him as one of the freshest new talents to watch out for in Mzansi. He's worked with celebrated artists including Blxkie, S1mba, Kelvin Momo and Lady Zamar. With his new single Let Me Love You, Mayten hopes to make an impact beyond South Africa's borders. 'The song is an ode to love and anyone that is in love. With so much happening around the world, people forget to share their love with family, partners and even strangers. This is a reminder of all,' Mayten told TshisaLIVE. We spoke to the rising star about his music and future ventures: How would you describe the sound of the single Let Me Love You? The sound is unapologetically Afrobeats. It's what I love because it is chilled and just about spreading positive vibes. You could have chosen to make any genre — why Afrobeats? I started off doing hip-hop music and as time went by I fell in love with Afrobeats and found my style. Growing up I listened to a lot of reggae music but I just couldn't get myself to make reggae. I wanted something that was antithetically African and not limiting. Something that could put Africa on the map. How long have you been making music and what keeps you motivated? I started at church — I was in the choir and this is where I received my foundation. I once performed at a huge church service with more than 60,000 people at the FNB Stadium and that is where I saw myself as a global superstar. I went for it — I have been making music now professionally for three years. Who and what inspires you and who do you wish to work with in future? There are a lot of people who inspire me, but life and everyday situations are the inspiration in my music. People who have been influential in my brand, sound and style, and I also know I will soon work with them, are Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy. What are some of your career highlights? Man, I have done a lot. My album Karolina reached one million streams on Spotify — that was a proud moment. I can also say working with some of the top artists in the country has been an achievement. And with every artist or project, I try to challenge myself and bring something different and unique, and I enjoy the challenge because I always want to be better.
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
The Cane Cutter ready for release after challenges
DR Eubulus Timothy is excited about the direction The Cane Cutter's project is heading in. He is the director of the film, described as a fractured love story. Timothy is an award-winning writer, director and producer of film and television, and the founding chair of the Cape Film Commission. He served two terms as vice chairperson of the Writers Guild of SA. His film career spans over 23 years, with a solid foundation from the Los Angeles City College where he obtained his diploma in cinematography. The Cane Cutter was shot in Durban two years ago, boasting a crew of 20 members and seven cast members, with Razeen Dada and Dr Kajal Lutchminarian on leads. It was produced under Durban-based Trinity Pictures by Shan Moodley. Also read: Film set to explore reconciliation in families Timothy shared, 'Through the trials, we managed to have a couple of focus groups before we locked the picture. We were supposed to release The Cane Cutter in November last year. But due to personal issues that impacted my family and me, right up to mid-December, I had to put the release date on hold. Even now, we are dealing with these issues. 'The movie is now ready for sound mix, music and colour grading. It's very exciting and we had some amazing feedback from our focus group,' he enthused. Timothy offered some insight into the story, 'A young man in pursuit of his identity meets a young woman fighting for her independence. Two teens meet on the last indenture ship, the Umlazi. A Telugu indentured boy and a paid passenger, a Gujarati girl. Like so many others, they never found each other. Over a hundred years ago, their great-grandchildren met and fell in love.' Also read: Local young filmmakers aim for stars Focus group member Dr Michelle van Tonder said, 'I had the privilege of being invited. This poignant and nostalgic drama weaves an epic love story into the fabric of a defining era in South African history, spotlighting the resilience and rise of hardworking Indian communities as they shaped their place in the nation's evolving identity.' Another focus group member, Tash Reddy, echoed, 'The twist and turns of the love story reminds one of real life, where not everything works out like in the land of fables. The movie inspires all people groups to honour culture, reality and truth as it embellishes this true life story into the heart of the movie enthusiast.' Timothy's film career has seen him co-write the film adaptations of Shakespeare's Othello, and direct a short Spanish film El Gotico in Hollywood alongside Rosanna Travares of the Pussycat Dolls. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
