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The post-colonial violin
by Rob Fokkens [South Africa]
This paper is based on my
experience as a composer for violin. I shall look at the historically complex relationship
between classical music and “folk music” (or imperial Europe and its colonies)
and how this has changed over the last century, causing an almost complete
switch in the way they are respectively valued in society at large. .
I shall discuss briefly my own
experiences as a post-colonial composer. Specifically my works for violin, and
my collaboration with violinist Harriet Mackenzie, and how my fascination with
fiddle music and string music from all over the place have fed into the pieces
I've written for her. I'll also introduce two South African bowed instruments
which have been absolutely fundamental to the development of my own
compositional style.
E-mail: robfokk@hotmail.com