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After completing his undergraduate music study at the University of
the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg (South Africa), Michal George entered
the graduate program at The Cleveland Institute of Music in Ohio (USA).
He graduated receiving the degree of Master of Music in 1999. He has
studied under composers Carl van Wyk and David Hewitt and has been associated
with a number of other prominent South Africans, whose music he recorded
on the CD, Umzwangedwa, released in 2001. As a performer Mr. George
has received the highest praise from audiences and critics alike, for
his inspired renditions of contemporary guitar repertoire.
Compositions:
(recorded on CD by Michal George He
who walks freely...taking big steps
Dam 994 CD)
Four
Solos (git. ca. 8 Min. - 16 pages)
Thembisa Jive is a lively opener, following the simple yet insistent
rhythm of mbaqanga (township jazz). The second piece it rains!...pula!...it
rains!...pula!..., is in two parts. The first ambles on simply before
giving way to the second section based on the Xhosa folk song: Umzabalazo
(We are the women). The title comes from the poem Adriaanspoort by Sipho
Sepamla, the last stanza of which contains the following:
there are clouds gathering above our heads
we say it will not rain
hardly being correct for the earth needs to be swept at times
it rains!...pula!...it rains!...pula!...
untitled (for Dave), composed during a time of bereavement, is based
on the Sotho folk song: Hayo o Tshwanang le Yena (There is no-one like
him). In Mpumalanga Blues the dreamy introduction gives way to the relentless
rhythm of the African "blues". The middle section offers repose before
the persistent blues patterns return. MG
Bestellnummer DAM 162 ED
Preis: € 8,-
online Bestellung
Seasonal
Tranparencies for guitar ca. 6:40 min. - 8 pages
I have never experienced the change of seasons as I have living in North
America - the vivid colours, riveting sounds and exquisite odors of
the passage of time. These four miniatures are my humble commentary
on the profound changes nature provides in the northern climates. The
first piece Winter Brand, inspired by the colourful harmonies of Abdullah
Ibrahim as well as the exquisite suspensions and unresolved dissonance's
in Gustav Mahler's 5th Symphony - Part 3, Adagietto. Sehr langsam ...,
(unlikely partners!), is a harmonic exploration, with stillness, as
one is still in winter, patiently awaiting spring. The second piece,
Seasons, moves with the lilt of a gentle waltz, before at last, reference
is made to the vibrance of African rhythm and sensibility in the final
and contrasting section. Both One Summer Afternoon and Fall Offering
contain further African references in their treatment of melodic contour,
often set against a rhythmic pattern of African in origin. MG
order code DAM 163 ED
price: € 8,-
online order
Nine
Songs of African Life (git. 12 pages)
It was my intention
to offer as much of each of the original songs, and as little of myself
as possible. Hence the short Prelude, and Interlude and little otherwise
was added in an effort to preserve the elegant simplicity and natural
charm of the nine songs which make up the set. The nine songs featured
in this collage represent the diversity of South Africa, and its numerous
languages.
The translations of the titles appear below:
We! Mshlamane Uzungakholwa (Hey! My ‚friend,' don't forget) Say'ilim'
Ingqolowa (We are ploughing wheat)
Hayo o Tshwanang le Yena (There is no-one like him)
Larato la Jeso le a Makatsa (The love of Jesus is wonderful) Umzambalazo
(We are the women)
Uthando Lwakhe (God's love)
Mandela Prescribes for Freedom
Mandela Wethu (Our Mandela)
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrica (Lord bless Africa) MG
order code DAM 164 ED
price: € 8,-
online order
Two
African Sketches for guitar (12 pages, ca. 10 min
He who walks freely, taking big steps ...
is a short suite of pieces moderate in technical difficulty. The pieces,
while composed of original materials, each exhibit African characteristics.
The first piece: over the wall ..., through the trees ..., is the longest
of the four. It is in itself made up of four distinct parts. The first,
rather fast paced in 6/8, offers short, lilting phrases. The chord sequences
at the end of sections 2 and 3 suggest the freedom of improvisation
in African music. Each chord may be repeated as many times as desired
allowing the ear to get acquainted with the harmony through repetition.
The ambiguous ending of the first piece (a perfect fourth below the
first note of the subsequent movement), connects it with the second
piece, light. Here again the performer is presented with a chance at
improvisation by repeating each measure several times and shaping the
phrases indicated.
The unevenness of the phrases in the third piece are suggestive of the
often disproportional length of melodies in African music, while the
simple harmonic nuances allow for clarity of line. The final and shortest
piece exhibits more lopsidedness still, and contains a number of melodic
fragments which in the end resolve in a simple ending centered around
E.
Say it... again!
Repetition is a important part of music. And while it might seems excessive
to the Western ear, in the musical traditions of southern Africa, a
section may be repeated over and over again until the performer and
the audience senses a need for change. As a result the sections may
seems rather long by Western sensibilities.
order code DAM 165 ED
price: € 8,-
online order
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