Cape Town music picks: October 15 2010

An interesting take on an important piece of music is on offer this week.

• Internationally acclaimed South African classical musicians, David Juritz (violin), Suzanne Martens (violin), Gareth Lubbe (viola) and Peter Martens (cello) have come together to form a string Quartet of Peace to promote the ideals of peace, reconciliation, freedom and hope embodied by South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Inspired by Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, and former presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk’s dedication to unification and healing, the Quartet of Peace will perform a series of concerts around the world, raising funds for music projects for children at risk in war affected regions, children abandoned by humanity. Internationally renowned luthier Brian Lisus has created unique instruments with the words Hope, Reconciliation, Freedom and Peace inscribed on them to symbolise the cornerstones without which our fragile constitution could not have been built. The Quartet of Peace perform JS Bach’s The Art of the Fugue, Ravel’s String Quartet in F Major, Mozart’s String Quartet No. 19 and London based composer Eugene Skeef’s Uxolo (Forgiveness) at their inaugural concert on October 15. Each musician also plays a solo piece in dedication to each Nobel Peace Laureate. Harpist Jane Theron provides the accompaniment. The concert will be streamed live via the internet at www.quartetofpeace.com. Endler Hall, c/o Victoria and Neethling Streets, Stellnebosch, October 15. Entrance is R85. Book at Computicket.

• The University of Stellenbosch teams up with electronic music ensemble Kemus and the Hout Bay Music project to bring together young musicians from varied backgrounds to perform American composer Terry Riley’s ‘In C” on October 16. Commonly recognised as the first example of minimalist modern classical music, ‘In C” can be performed by any number of people, although Riley suggests a group of about 35 performers, with one performer maintaining the beat or ‘pulse’. The semi-aleatoric work consists of 53 musical segments, to be performed chronologically, with every performer making their own decisions on how many times each segment will be repeated, at what dynamic level each segment will be played, etc. The result of this procedure is that no two performances of ‘In C” will ever be the same. It is a work that can be performed by professional as well as non-professional musicians, creating the potential for an inclusive and generous musical experience. Fismer Hall, c/o Victoria and Neethling Streets, Cape Town. Starts at 8pm. Admission is R85 or R65 (students, senior citizens). Prof. Paul Cilliers hosts a pre-concert discussion at 7pm. Book at Computicket. Tel: 083 915 8000.