South African concert pianists: an overview 1900 -1989
Date
2024-03
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research focuses on the history of the piano concert as an established cultural phenomenon in
South Africa since the beginning of the 20th century, with a specific emphasis on the pianists who
contributed to its establishment and development. The overview ends with the death of, arguably,
South Africa's most illustrious pianist, Steven De Groote, in 1989.
The hypothesis underlying the project as a whole is that a distinct piano concert tradition
gradually came into being in the early 1900s. Over the next several decades it developed from its
initial colonial characteristics to a cultural institution that was firmly anchored in its South
African environment. The term "piano concert tradition" has been coined to capture the essence of
this cultural phenomenon. Of the pianists concerned, some came from abroad and had studied with
leading teachers of the day, while an increasing number of exponents were raised and trained in
South Africa. The cultural and social infrastructure that accompanied the tradition is given
consideration and includes training institutions, professional orchestras, diverse funding, a
broadcasting network, supportive audiences, and, as a late addition, music competitions. This
dissertation also touches briefly on the socio-political context in which the tradition evolved and
highlights the tension between colonialism and apartheid on the one hand and a cultural tradition
with the loftiest aspirations on
the other.
The careers and achievements of some of the pianists presented here have been the topic of limited
inquiry before, while the majority are presented as the subjects of research for the first time.
The dissertation ends with the recommendation that comparative studies, in countries with similar
or contrasting colonial and culturally
diverse backgrounds, would be an interesting topic for further research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2024.