When Nelson Mandela University music and performing arts lecturer Rudi Bower approached poet Vincent Oliphant with the possibility of a collaboration, it came as a welcome surprise.
Now, more than two years down the line, the collaborative project in the form of a CD, titled Sag Praat van Hierdie Lewe, has been released.
In a pleasant, yet surprising mash-up, it features Bower’s music, Oliphant’s poems and mezzo soprano Lucretia Sikwebu’s vocals.
The compilation, accordingly, has a little something for everyone.
“This was such a wonderful experience that I would definitely want to do something similar again,” Oliphant said.
The title is a combination of the names of the last two poems in the song cycle; Sag Praat (Speak Softly) and Hierdie Lewe (This Life).
According to Bower, it is difficult to accurately translate the essence of this evocative phrase, but it can be read as commentary on the sensitive, fragile and mystical nature of life in general and human experiences as represented in shifting life phases.
He said the idea of composing a song cycle based on the work of Oliphant first came to him about 2½ years ago.
“I have long been a big fan of Vincent’s poetry. In my humble opinion, his work represents a pinnacle in Afrikaans poetry.
“We have worked together before on different collaborations, but I just felt that there was a real opportunity for his work to be seen in a new guise through a merger of art forms — that of music and poetry, and that the guitar, given its intimate nature, would be the ideal instrument for accompaniment to the voice,” Bower said.
“As far as I know, Sag Praat van Hierdie Lewe represents the first full original Afrikaans song cycle composed for classical guitar and voice.
“I started working on the musical settings in December 2019.
“The vocal part was composed with Lucretia Sikwebu in mind, with whom I have also worked before.
“I composed the vocal part guided by her particular vocal range and in consultation with her.”
Sikwebu said it was worth the hard work and hours of sacrifice.
“Each poem touched me in a different, wonderful way.
“It was a great privilege and honour for me to work with Vincent and Rudi.
“They are a great inspiration to me.”
The song cycle on the CD comprises 12 settings of Oliphant’s poems, and is composed for classical guitar and mezzo-soprano.
The poems were selected in consultation with Oliphant and form a chronological portrayal of a human life cycle representing different life phases and experiences, and explores universal themes ranging from origin to discovery, loss, adversity, healing and renewal.
Bower said he did not consider this to be “his CD”, given the collaborative effort that went into it.
“However, seeing a long-term project slowly take shape and being part of each individual step of the process, from conception to consultation, licensing agreements with the publishers of the poems to composition, recording and editing to mastering and now the marketing, is very rewarding.
“My wife, Leonette, did all the graphic design, photography and artwork for the project.”
He said the project had been driven by a deep appreciation and respect for Oliphant’s work, and a desire to provide a new vehicle of expression to it.
HeraldLIVE
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