Pitch organisation in Hendrik Hofmeyr's Alleenstryd

May, James

Pitch organisation in Hendrik Hofmeyr's Alleenstryd

Journal Article

2003

Journal Title

South African Journal of Musicology

Link to Journal

http://reference.sabinet.co.za/sa_epublication/samus

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

College of Music

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

Hendrik Pienaar Hofmeyr is one of South Africa’s most frequently commissioned and performed composers. Very little research dealing with his work has been published. In an attempt to address this, the current article will look at the song cycle Alleenstryd, a work of seminal importance in the evolution of Hofmeyr’s musical language. The various types of pitch organisation which had been emerging in earlier works by the composer are here for the first time organised into a fully integrated and coherent system. The opening melodic and harmonic material of the work undergoes constant change throughout the cycle in a highly organised process which is groundbreaking in its originality. The principles applied here have later become the mainstay of Hofmeyr’s mature style, which has evolved from such diverse influences as African music and the works of Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Szymanowski and Arnold van Wyk. His work is characterised by an adherence to expanded tonality, directness of expression, contrapuntal fabrics and an exceptional sense of orchestral colour.

Reference:

Collections

Journal Articles

Full item page