Muizenberg cello maker’s magic to resonate at event
IAM told the notes produced by a cello are the closest to those produced by a human voice. Maybe that’s why I find the sound of the cello to be the warmest of all the instruments in the orchestra. It speaks my language. For those who feel as I do about this mellow musical instrument, there’s an unusual concert taking place in Stellenbosch on March 7, called
Just the title is enough to get me excited. The unusual programme forms part of the 2018 Woordfees and features six members of I Grande Violoncellisti, under the leadership of Austrian maestro Erich Oskar Huetter, with dancer Tanja Schmidt, pianist Albie van Schalkwyk and violinist Farida Bacharova.
That intriguing combination should be enough to whet any music lover’s appetite, but for me there’s an extra touch of magical, musical history involved. Every one of the six cellos that will be played that evening were lovingly make by a Muizenberg luthier, Dawne Haddad.
I wonder whether there’s ever been a cello sextet all playing instruments made by the same South African cello maker before.
Dawne is an extraordinary craftsperson and I often pop into her workshop to admire the skill and expertise that goes into every part of the latest cello taking shape on her workbench. From the roughhewn slabs of pale wood, the elegantly curved components emerge slowly to fit together precisely.
There are no straight lines in a cello, so every fitting surface must be cut and carved and scraped and shaped until it fits its corresponding part precisely.
Dawne works from an ancient design she obtained when studying her craft in Cremona, Italy. Even the varnish that gives the cello its deep, rich colour is made to Dawne’s own recipe.
It was not always her ambition to make musical instruments. Dawne graduated with a master’s degree in physics before falling in love with the craft of instrument making and devoting her life to creating her superb cellos.
Apart from her cellos, Dawne has made several violas, but never, as far as I know, a double bass. I once heard her mutter that making a double bass requires a carpenter, not a luthier.
The concert is in the Endler Hall and begins at 6pm. Booking is at Computicket and ticket prices range from R100 to R150. You are unlikely ever to experience a musical event like this again.
Last Laugh
Police officer Jones watched from his unmarked car as the revellers came out of the local pub at closing time. Eventually Charlie emerged, stumbled over his feet, clutched a lamp-post for support, took a long time to find his keys and obviously had great trouble finding the car’s keyhole. As soon as he got behind the wheel, the cop pounced and said: “Please blow into this tube, sir.”
Charlie took the breathalyser and blew. The cop looked at it in disbelief. “I don’t believe it,” he said.
“This shows you have no alcohol in your system at all. How do you explain that?”
“Easy,” said Charlie with a grin. “It’s my turn to be the designated decoy tonight.”