The world premiere of a dramatic concert honouring Archbishop Desmond Tutu takes place this month at the Linder Auditorium.
Requiem for the Living is written for a large instrumental ensemble by South African musician, Dr Rexleigh Bunyard.
Funded by the National Lotteries Commission, Requiem for the Living is an indigenous South African musical composition, originally conceived and composed by Bunyard for choirs, orchestras and soloists, to recognise the plight and raise awareness of Aids orphans.
The intent of the work is largely humanitarian and embraces all who have suffered a devastating loss.
This entirely local creation has two distinct parts – its humanitarian relevance in South Africa inspired by the plight of children orphaned by the Aids pandemic, and its recognition of human worth at all levels, including the most impoverished.
Her musical composition aims to draw attention to the suffering of all children afflicted by abuse, neglect and tragic illness, and demonstrates that music is a universal language that speaks to people in different ways.
“The work I have created is unusual in its concept of being a requiem for the living, rather than for the dead,” she said.
“It does not contain words specific to requiems for the dead, instead, it challenges, expands and enriches the requiem tradition by recognising the plight of survivors – the children who have been orphaned by the Aids pandemic. It is intended to draw attention to suffering and loss via a humanitarian exercise in compassion which promotes a more hopeful, inclusive society.”
Bunyard hopes that this work will allow people to feel empathy, respond to the needs of neglected children and be compassionate towards them in the future.
The Johannesburg concert takes place on 27 August and will commemorate Tutu’s contribution at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – which turns 20 this year – while the second concert will honour the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March to Pretoria.
A number of musicians, choirs and orchestras will unite to make this premiere possible, so don’t miss out.
