By Daniëlle Gerber
On Sunday, 24 July at 16:00, in an unassuming foyer of the Konservatorium, music lovers gathered for the sheer enjoyment of the classics by Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, and other famous composers. The layout was relaxed, and the tables were adorned with snacks, with the concept of the event being: a ‘not-a-concert-concert’. For about an hour, poetry and opera filled this space before dismantling – back to daily life.
Liederabend featured seventeen students from the Stellenbosch University Konservatorium Repertoire Studies Class as they relayed classical performances. Firstly, a poem would be read, in English or Afrikaans, after which a performance in the original language would follow. This was accompanied by the piano, with two pianists rotating between playing.
All performers were situated on the stage for the duration of the ‘not-a-concert’. When it was a performer’s time to claim the spotlight, they would simply speak – and all attention shifted to them. Some would travel around the stage, some stayed in their spot on the side, and some in the middle. This allowed for an organic flow, with the music speaking for itself.
Xander Kritzinger was the host of this event. Kritzinger introduced the concept of the event and shared comments here and there – the most memorable being from about halfway through the ‘not-a-concert’. After Sashon Davis delivered a sultry In dem Schatten meiner Locken (In The Shadow of my Tresses) by Hugo Wolf, Kritzinger explained how each performance is a duet between the singer and the pianist. No! – a quartet between the writer, composer, pianist, and singer, Kritzinger decided.
What made Liederabend so special, was the evident passion and appreciation that all participants had for the arts. While one performer was singing, the others could be seen admiring the performance. When one performer finished, another would send a thumbs up or a nod of approval. There was no pretending – nerves showed, accompanied by chill-provoking opera, as the singers’ personalities peeped through.
The details of these events are relatively elusive – some can be found on the notice boards outside of the Konservatorium (45 Victoria Street), and others are spread by word of mouth. Some events can be viewed on the Instagram page @sukonservatorium, and if you attend often enough, you might just access this insider intel. Whether you are an avid music lover, having a self-care night, or seeking some inspiration – this side of the Stellenbosch music scene will not leave you searching for long!
