The result of months of collaborative work between Patty Cuyler (Village Harmony) and Matlaka Bopape (Polokwane Choral Society), The Folk Rhythm, Volume I is a choral director's dream. 16 rich, arresting songs arranged for SATB choir, accompanied by cds to guide choruses toward an "authentic" sound (and, where appropriate, dancing) style. One of the main characteristics of South African folk and traditional music is the syncopated nature of rhythms, which often defy the measure system. An accompanying dance often adds a new rhythmic pattern to the mix, with song and dance together forming a complex and not easily defined rhythmic structure. Because of this, most songs are best understood through careful listening and close observation if one wants to capture the essence of the performance. Recordings and video therefore accompany Folk Rhythm , to assist in this regard, as notation alone cannot adequately capture all these nuances of the rich South African folk music tradition. |
