Bongani Ndodana-Breen
Encyclopedia
Bongani Ndodana-Breen is a South Africa
n-born composer
, musician
and cultural activist. He was born in 1975 in Queenstown
, South Africa and is a member of the Xhosa clan. He is often referred to by his Xhosa paternal ancestral name or isiduko, Rhadebe. He was educated at St. Andrew's College
and Rhodes University
in Grahamstown
and studied composition in Stellenbosch under Roelof Temmingh.
In 1998 Ndodana-Breen was the first Black classical composer to be awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award
for Music, by the National Arts Festival
and sponsored by Standard Bank of South Africa
.
His music is a blend of African and classical styles. Some of his pieces reflect on various scenes from his native Xhosa culture (such as Hintsa's Dances, which is based on the life of Paramount Chief Hintsa ka Khawuta
, Apologia at Umzimvubu and Sons of The Great Tree).
He has received commissions from across the globe from the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
, the Miller Theatre
of New York, Vancouver Recital Society
, Madame Walker Theatre, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Noir/MusicaNoir, Southern African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO), National Arts Council, The Emancipation Festival of Trinidad & Tobago and Wigmore Hall
, London.
He has written operas, orchestral and chamber works, including the controversial opera The Passion of Winnie in collaboration with filmmaker Warren Wilensky, based on anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
.
Ndodana-Breen is also an advocate for cultural diversity, various African efforts including gay and lesbian rights.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n-born composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and cultural activist. He was born in 1975 in Queenstown
Queenstown, Eastern Cape
Queenstown, named after Queen Victoria, is a town in the middle of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, roughly half way in between the towns of Cathcart and Sterkstroom. It is currently the commercial, administrative, and educational centre of the prosperous surrounding farming district...
, South Africa and is a member of the Xhosa clan. He is often referred to by his Xhosa paternal ancestral name or isiduko, Rhadebe. He was educated at St. Andrew's College
St. Andrew's College (Grahamstown, South Africa)
St Andrew's College is a private senior school for boys located in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa, one of the 23 elite, influential and prestigious Milner Schools. It offers boarding and day options for its pupils. The premium Anglican boarding school caters for 450 pupils from across the...
and Rhodes University
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
in Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
and studied composition in Stellenbosch under Roelof Temmingh.
In 1998 Ndodana-Breen was the first Black classical composer to be awarded the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award
Standard Bank Young Artist Award
The Standard Bank Young Artist Awards were started in 1981 by the National Arts Festival to recognise emerging, relatively young South African artists who have demonstrated exceptional ability in their chosen field. These prestigious awards are presented annually to deserving artists in three to...
for Music, by the National Arts Festival
National Arts Festival
The National Arts Festival is one of the most important events on the South African cultural calendar, and the biggest annual celebration of the arts on the African continent....
and sponsored by Standard Bank of South Africa
Standard Bank of South Africa
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited is one of South Africa's largest financial services groups. It operates in 30 countries around the world, including 17 in Africa.-History:...
.
His music is a blend of African and classical styles. Some of his pieces reflect on various scenes from his native Xhosa culture (such as Hintsa's Dances, which is based on the life of Paramount Chief Hintsa ka Khawuta
Hintsa ka Khawuta
Hintsa ka Khawuta , also known as Hintsa the Great or King Hintsa, was the 4th paramount Chief of the Gcaleka sub-group of the Xhosa nation from 1820 until his death in 1835....
, Apologia at Umzimvubu and Sons of The Great Tree).
He has received commissions from across the globe from the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra is an orchestra of Chinese traditional instruments based in Hong Kong. It was established in 1977 and comprises 85 musicians. The Artistic Director and Principal Conductor is Yan Huichang.-External links:**...
, the Miller Theatre
Miller Theatre
Miller Theatre at Columbia University is located on the Morningside Heights campus of Columbia University. It is a performing arts producer dedicated to developing and presenting new music....
of New York, Vancouver Recital Society
Vancouver Recital Society
The Vancouver Recital Society is one of Vancouver’s major presenters of classical and chamber music, offering a platform for fans to see both new and established, high profile talent perform in the best venues in Vancouver....
, Madame Walker Theatre, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Noir/MusicaNoir, Southern African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO), National Arts Council, The Emancipation Festival of Trinidad & Tobago and Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall is a leading international recital venue that specialises in hosting performances of chamber music and is best known for classical recitals of piano, song and instrumental music. It is located at 36 Wigmore Street, London, UK and was built to provide London with a venue that was both...
, London.
He has written operas, orchestral and chamber works, including the controversial opera The Passion of Winnie in collaboration with filmmaker Warren Wilensky, based on anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela is a South African politician who has held several government positions and headed the African National Congress Women's League. She is currently a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee...
.
Ndodana-Breen is also an advocate for cultural diversity, various African efforts including gay and lesbian rights.
Notable works
- Orange Clouds - music by Ndodana-Breen and libretto by filmmaker John GreysonJohn GreysonJohn Greyson is a Canadian filmmaker, whose work frequently deals with gay themes. Greyson is also a video artist, writer and activist; he is currently a professor at York University, where he teaches film and video theory and film production and editing.-Background:Greyson was born the son of...
. - The Passion of Winnie - libretto by Warren Wilensky.
- Uhambo/The Pilgrimage - opera/oratorio based on the epic poem by Guy ButlerGuy Butler (poet)Guy Butler was a South African poet and writer....
- African Kaddish for orchestra
- Rituals for Forgotten Faces - a chamber music cycle in 6 parts
- Apologia at Umzimvubu -string quartet
- Miniatures on Motherhood -string quartet
- Flowers in Sand piano solo
- Visions flute solo
- C'est tres Noir piano duet
- Two Nguni Dances piano trio for the Haydn Bi-Centenary
- Hymn and Lament for the Sudan from the chamber opera Threnody & Dances
- Intlanzi yase Mzantsi piano quintet based on Schubert's Trout quintet
External links
- Bongani Ndodana-Breen fan site
- Winnie in Toronto by Brent Meersman, Mail & Guardian
- New Yorker: Garth Fagan Dance
- Through a Different Lens by Andrew van der Vlies, Scrutiny2 Vol 13, Issue 1 May 2008
- Schubertiade Teatro Auditorio San Lorenzo de El Scorial
- Pan African Festival Trinidad & Tobago
- Essay introducing Fig Trees a video opera by John Greyson and David Wall
- "The Struggle Continues" Interview on Chris Hani Opera Sunday Times