Music at Spiritfest
This year at Spiritfest, Dr Andrew-John Bethke will present a variety of musical performances which are guaranteed to be pleasing to the Spiritfest-goer’s ears.
Bethke, who is the Cathedral Director of Music and Organist, and the holder of three degrees in music, says that “Music can help a church community to find its collective voice”, and that it lifts our spirits.
On the worship side of music, Bethke will be conducting an inspiring Choral Evensong for festival-goers, visual artists, writers and arts administrators. The programme will feature South African choral music and hymns sung by the Cathedral Choir. Over and above the spectacular singing there will be an award presented to Dr Sizwe Mabizala, the Vice Chancellor of Rhodes University. He will receive the Dean’s Award from the Very Rev Andrew Hunter, Dean of Grahamstown.
In response to the recent outbreaks of xenophobic violence, Bethke has written a mass setting titled A Chamber Eucharist, which will be performed in concert, and also in the context of a service of worship.Bethke had this to say about the upcoming performance: “It is always wonderful to have a fully local group of performers. It is quite remarkable that a small town like Grahamstown can perform brand-new works with such integrity and beauty. Which other small towns in South Africa can boast such musical talents?”
The movements in this setting all try to juxtapose different musical styles and languages in an effort to show that cultures can intersect positively and creatively. The Gate Quartet is providing the string parts, Jessica Smith is playing recorder, Andrew Tracey will dazzle us on percussion, and the choir will be the Cathedral Chamber Singers, a group of 12 singers created especially for this performance.
At the concert on the first Saturday of the Festival, the same musicians will perform the Chamber Eucharist as well as Bethke’s String Quartet No 1, which is also inspired by the music of Africa.
His organ recital comprises four wonderful pieces which display the full range of the Cathedral organ’s registers. He calls the recital Three Frenchmen and a Brit, referring to the composers: Dupré, Franck, Gigout and Wesley. He notes: “Dupre’s thrilling transcription of one of Bach’s Sinfonias will open the programme. This will be followed by Franck’s exquisite and moving Prelude, Fugue and Variations. In contrast Gigout’s Scherzo will amuse the audience. Finally, SS Wesley’s popular Choral Song and Fugue will close the concert in grand Victorian style.”
The dates of Bethke’s performances at the Cathedral are: Choral Evensong on the 1 July 5.30-6.30pm Festival Eucharist on the 3 July 9.30-11am Organ Recital on 1 July 3-3.50pm Music Concert 2 July 10-11am For further details of Spiritfest events visit: http://www.grahamstowncathedral.org/spiritfest/2016 Facebook: facebook.com/spiritfest.grahamstown