Evening concert: South African Roots
by Signum Quartett, Dizu Plaatjies,
Signum Quartett
Florian Donderer (viool)wds
Annette Walther (viool)
Xandi van Dijk (altviool)
Thomas Schmitz (cello)
Arnold van Wyk
Five Elegies
Denise Onen
Demockracy for string quartet and tape
Abel Selaocoe
Umthwalo (arr. Benjamin Woodgates)
Dizu Plaatjies
21:30 (arr. Matthijs van Dijk)
Ivy Priaulx Rainier
Quartet for Strings
The Signum Quartett is deeply connected to South Africa’s history, especially since Xandi van Dijk, the viola player of the internationally renowned ensemble, was born there. The musicians are closely associated with several composers who suffered under the Apartheid. They are happy to share their musical heartstrings with listeners 30 years after the end of the Apartheid.
Racism, anti-Semitism, marginalization and discrimination against minorities are more topical than ever. The program Bridge the chasms that divide takes its title from Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration speech in 1994. With music composed especially for the Signum Quartett by Denise Onen and Abel Selaocoe, highlighting the history of South Africa, the strings call attention to injustices both past and present. By performing beautiful music, the quartet expresses a message of hope aimed at a bright future.