A special work – composed by Cathedral Director of Music AJ Bethke as a“spiritual and musical response” to xenophobic violence in South Africa – will be performed in the Cathedral on Sunday morning.
A special work – composed by Cathedral Director of Music AJ Bethke as a“spiritual and musical response” to xenophobic violence in South Africa – will be performed in the Cathedral on Sunday morning.
The work – entitled The Chamber Eucharist – uses a number of languages and musical styles from various cultures.
Bethke wrote the piece between April and July this year, after xenophobic violence had occurred nationwide – including in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
According to information in a recent piece in the Cathedral magazine, "The Gloria is in English using both Celtic and Sotho styles, the Kyrie combines Shona and Xhosa traditions; the Credo (Baptismal Creed) is in Latin with short phrases in San; the Sanctus is in Afrikaans, the Benedictus in Latin and Tswana, and although the Agnus Dei is sung in English, its first and last sections are in Sotho style and the middle section is an adaptation of a tune used in the Zionist Church".
The Mass was performed for the first time at the end of September as the culmination of the Cathedral's Heritage Day activities. It was so well-received, says Bethke, that the request was made that it be performed again – and the timing couldn't be more appropriate.
He points out that parts of the work are particularly relevant in light of the recent looting and attacks in Grahamstown. "The Benedictus includes musical themes based on Arabic music from East Africa.
A lot of the hatred and anger of these past weeks has been against those from Somalia and other countries in that area." The piece is scored for chamber choir (SATB), string quartet, oboe (although in this case the oboe part will be taken by a recorder) and percussion.
Performers include members of the Cathedral and the Rhodes Chamber Choirs and members of the Grahamstown community, adult string players from St Andrews and DSG, the recorder is played by a member of the VG staff and African music expert and former ILAM Director, Professor Andrew Tracey will provide the percussion.
The Chamber Eucharist will be performed as part of the Sunday morning service at the Cathedral on Sunday (8 November). The service begins at 9.30.
