NOKWANDA KUBHEKA
Isiduduzo’ is the UP School of the Arts’s response to a call made by the Humanities Faculty for sources of inspiration, as the UP community and the world face uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lullaby was composed by the Head of Music and Head of the School, Professor Alexander Johnson, while the design component of the images was assembled by Professor Amanda du Preez. ‘Isiduduzo’ (2nd movement) is drawn from ‘Imicabango’ (Impressions), which was written in 2010 for the SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts.
The UP website describes the artwork as a gentle, almost romantic work. It consists of three movements. The first two, namely Impumalanga (Dawn) and Isiduduzo (Lullaby), both are intimate expressions of first daylight and early evening accompanied by sounds and emotional evocations. The third movement, Isikhwishikazana (Small whirlwind), is an impression of a wind that disappears as quickly and as quietly as it appeared.
“The UP website describes the artwork as a gentle, almost romantic work“
The work has been performed at the Hugo Lamprechts Theatre in 2010. It was recorded for two CD recordings by Liesl Stoltz (flute) and Jose Dias (piano) in 2014. The work is also prescribed for the Unisa Grade eight and Licenciate flute examinations (2011), and has been performed around the world numerous times.
According to the UP website, Prof. Du Preez says that the accompanying images are loosely interpreting the music, with themes of sleep and awakening running throughout.
The lullaby can be watched on the UP YouTube page, on the news section of the UP website and is titled ‘Art is a Wound Turned into Light- Isiduduzo’, and on the news section of the UP website.
Illustration: Marchall Potgieter
Social Science student with the dream of one day becoming the head of an international humanitarian organisation. Writes mostly about politics, student governance and health. Kept afloat by Philippians 4:13