The gold mines of South Africa under Apartheid were grim and difficult places. Black South Africans worked in the mines, chained together and forbidden to speak. Even so, they found ways to communicate, using rhythmic boot-stomping, chest-slapping and chain-jangling. It's called gumboot dancing, and it's become part of South African culture. It also inspired this week's 21st century music feature, "Gumboots," by English composer David Bruce. We'll hear a performance by clarinetist Todd Palmer and the St. Lawrence String Quartet, from this summer's Spoleto Festival USA.
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
Carl Nielsen: Second movement from Symphony No. 2
The San Francisco Symphony, Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Various Composers (Arranged by Oystein Sonstad): The Ultimate Violin Concerto
The Oslo String Quartet, Vertavo String Quartet, and friends
Bergen International Festival, Bergen, Norway
Ole Bull: I Ensomme Stunde
The Oslo String Quartet and Vertavo String Quartet
Bergen International Festival, Bergen, Norway
Frederic Chopin: Prelude No. 5 in D and Prelude No. 7 in A, Op. 28
Denis Evstuhin, piano
Sundin Music Hall, St. Paul
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Divertimento No. 11 in D, K. 251
The San Francisco Symphony, Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
Hour 2
Jean Sibelius: March from Karelia Suite, Op. 11
The Philharmonia Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor
Frederic Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp Minor, Op. posth.
Rafal Blechacz, piano
Schwetzingen Festival, Schwetzingen, Germany
David Bruce: Gumboots
Todd Palmer, clarinet and bass clarinet, the St. Lawrence String Quartet
Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, South Carolina
Ottorino Respighi: The Fountains of Rome
The San Francisco Symphony, Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
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