Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph
Encyclopedia
Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph (July 9, 1948) is a South African composer, pianist and teacher. She was the first woman in South Africa to obtain a doctorate
in composition
.
and began playing the piano at age five. She studied at the University of Pretoria
under Stefans Grové
and others. She went on to study at the Royal College of Music
in London, where she received tuition in composition from John Lambert and Tristram Carey. After meeting György Ligeti
she was invited to join his class in Hamburg. Ligeti use of contrapuntal
devices and tone colour proved a major influence.
Zaidel-Rudolph also specialised in piano performance; her teachers included Goldie Zaidel, Philip Levy and Adolph Hallis in South Africa, and John Lill
in London. Zaidel-Rudolph returned to South Africa and became the first woman in the country to obtain a Doctorate in Composition, in 1979 at the University of Pretoria under Stefans Grové.
album. She was commissioned to write a work (Oratorio for Human Rights) for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. In 1995, she arranged a composite version of South Africa’s erstwhile and new National Anthem
s at the request of President Nelson Mandela
. She also composed a song (He walked to Freedom) for his honorary doctorate ceremony in 1997. In 2000, 2002, and 2003, she participated in the show Celebration in Canada, the US, and the UK for which she composed, conducted and orchestrated the music.
Zaidel-Rudolph's compositional output is covers most musical genres, ranging from the large scale symphony to chamber, choral, ballet, rock opera, film and solo instrumental music. Her works are regularly performed in Africa, Europe and America.
Zaidel-Rudolph has also made a tremendous contribution to Jewish music
in Johanesburg. She is closely associated with the Sydenham-Highlands North Hebrew Congregation whose male choir
has release many compositions written by Zaidel-Rudolph.
Zaidel-Rudolph has been working at the School of Music of the University of the Witwatersrand
since 1975, where she is a Professor of Composition.
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
.
Education
Zaidel-Rudolph was born PretoriaPretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
and began playing the piano at age five. She studied at the University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi campus public research university located in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa...
under Stefans Grové
Stefans Grové
Stefans Grové is a South African composer. "He is regarded by many as Africa's greatest living composer, possesses one of the most distinctive compostional voices of our time".-Early life:...
and others. She went on to study at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
in London, where she received tuition in composition from John Lambert and Tristram Carey. After meeting György Ligeti
György Ligeti
György Sándor Ligeti was a composer of contemporary classical music. Born in a Hungarian Jewish family in Transylvania, Romania, he briefly lived in Hungary before becoming an Austrian citizen.-Early life:...
she was invited to join his class in Hamburg. Ligeti use of contrapuntal
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
devices and tone colour proved a major influence.
Zaidel-Rudolph also specialised in piano performance; her teachers included Goldie Zaidel, Philip Levy and Adolph Hallis in South Africa, and John Lill
John Lill
John Lill CBE is an English classical pianist.-Biography:Lill studied at the Royal College of Music and with Wilhelm Kempff. His talent emerged at an early age, as he gave his first piano recital at the age of nine. At age 18, he performed Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto under Sir Adrian Boult...
in London. Zaidel-Rudolph returned to South Africa and became the first woman in the country to obtain a Doctorate in Composition, in 1979 at the University of Pretoria under Stefans Grové.
Career
In 1988, the first complete commercial recording of the works of a South African art music composer featured her music on an EMIEMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
album. She was commissioned to write a work (Oratorio for Human Rights) for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. In 1995, she arranged a composite version of South Africa’s erstwhile and new National Anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
s at the request of President Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
. She also composed a song (He walked to Freedom) for his honorary doctorate ceremony in 1997. In 2000, 2002, and 2003, she participated in the show Celebration in Canada, the US, and the UK for which she composed, conducted and orchestrated the music.
Zaidel-Rudolph's compositional output is covers most musical genres, ranging from the large scale symphony to chamber, choral, ballet, rock opera, film and solo instrumental music. Her works are regularly performed in Africa, Europe and America.
Zaidel-Rudolph has also made a tremendous contribution to Jewish music
Jewish music
Jewish music is the music and melodies of the Jewish People which have evolved over time throughout the long course of Jewish History. In some instances Jewish Music is of a religious nature, spiritual songs and refrains are common in Jewish Services throughout the world, while other times, it is...
in Johanesburg. She is closely associated with the Sydenham-Highlands North Hebrew Congregation whose male choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
has release many compositions written by Zaidel-Rudolph.
Zaidel-Rudolph has been working at the School of Music of the University of the Witwatersrand
University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg is a South African university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University...
since 1975, where she is a Professor of Composition.
Honors
- 1974, she was the first South African composer to be awarded the Cobbett Prize for composition at the Royal College of MusicRoyal College of MusicThe Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
. - 1986, she won the first prize in the first-ever Total Oil (SA) Competition in South Africa.