“Wilderness” is an original composition for flute, violin and jazz trio. Inspired by storytelling in contemporary chamber music, the narrative of “Wilderness” is based on the metaphorical concept of wilderness – with themes drawn from Maya Angelou and Clarissa Estes. The suite consists of five pieces, each conveying a particular setting or emotional state. The compositional style merges classical music with jazz-fusion.
A note from the composer: “I always strive to create immersive music. My compositions are both stories and musical offerings about life. I feel it is essential to re-imagine storytelling through music that feels familiar yet brings new textures to the sound, promoting inclusion and broadening the horizons of South African jazz and classical music.” – Stacey van Schalkwyk
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Wilderness composed by Stacey van Schalkwyk
Called Out composed by Virgil Matrass
Photographs by Yashin Naidoo
Stacey van Schalkwyk on flute
Lieva Starker on violin
Virgil Matrass on piano
Yashin Naidoo on bass
Brendan Yendall on drums
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
PentaFusion is a “crossover” ensemble with a progressive sound and melodic sensitivity that appeals to classical music and jazz followers. They have been described as a “virtuoso ensemble” with “fresh new musical ideas” that “connect” with their audience. Using their combined talents, they have created music that pushes the boundaries of their art form.
Stacey van Schalkwyk (flute/composer/director)
Stacey is an award-winning composer, flautist, researcher, and educator. In addition to solo performances, she co-founded the band Mosiac, which performed for Nelson Mandela’s birthday, the International Jazz Educators Conference in Atlanta, the African Economic Forum’s Heads of State, and the Common Wealth Cultural Exchange Conference. During this time she also worked with Deepak Ram, Lex Futshane, Mageshen Naidoo, Brendan Jury, and KZNPO. Stacey was part of the recording of “Gathering Forces Vol 2” with Darius Brubeck, Deepak Ram and Airto Moreira. In 1996, together with her band Mosaic, she was awarded the IAJE award for contribution to jazz.
After her son was born she took time away from performance – which ended up being a 2-decade hiatus. During this period she set up a research company focusing on socio-cultural and development research. Stacey presented her research at several National and International Conferences, where she was voted best speaker on numerous occasions. In 2019 Stacey returned to the stage, founded Point of Humanness and has been working as a composer, director, flautist and educator. She has premièred and performed her compositions in Cape Town and at The National Arts Festival, receiving a Bronze Ovation Award for Fragments in 2022.
Lieva Starker (violin)
Lieva is an award-winning violinist, music therapist and educator. She completed her BMus and MMus degrees at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and obtained a Masters in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Lieva was part of the Thallein Ensemble, performing new works by Sean Clancy. In 2016 she performed alongside Waldo Alexander, Marguerite Spies and Piet de Beer at the Unyazi electronic music festival in Cape Town, where they premièred works by Joo Orecchia, Njabulo Phungula and others. In 2019 Lieva released her debut album, Weerspieëlings. At the 2022 National Arts Festival, she received a Bronze Ovation Award for her performance in Fragments.
Lieva has a private music therapy practice, Makhanda Music Therapy, and is passionate about facilitating well-being in the areas of psychiatry, as well as child and adolescent mental health.
Virgil Matrass (piano)
Virgil is a professional jazz pianist, composer and arranger who seeks to inspire young, aspirant musicians to reach their full potential. He studied towards a BMus at Stellenbosch University and transferred to Nelson Mandela University where he completed the degree. He is a member of the well-known vocal acapella group, The Creed, who released their debut album in November 2019. He is also actively involved with the popular Erle Felkers’ Big Band.
Virgil currently resides in Makhanda, Eastern Cape where he is Head of the Junior Music school, and the Choir Conductor. He also teaches Class Music, Piano and Voice at The Diocesan School for Girls, and is the Jazz Piano and Vocal lecturer and accompanist at Rhodes University. Virgil’s extensive knowledge and experience of jazz and contemporary music led to the success of his students whom he has entered for Rockschool examinations.
Yashin Naidoo (bass)
Yashin is an award-winning photographer, filmmaker, producer and bass player from the Eastern Cape. He co-founded Point of Humanness in 2019, working as the producer, cinematographer and photographer. In 2022 he filmed and produced a short film Dying to Be Human, which was part of the Lift-Off Sessions Film Festival.
As a bass player, he primarily focuses on crossover music but has also played other genres including Jazz, Rock and Classical. He has played for numerous productions in South Africa and performed at the National Arts Festival. He was awarded a Standard Bank Bronze Ovation Award for participating in Fragments at the 2022 National Arts festival.
Brendan Yendall (Drums)
Brendan is an award-winning drummer and educator. He was born in Makhanda and has been active in music throughout his schooling at Graeme College. Upon completing his BMus and Honours degrees at Rhodes University, he worked as a sound technician for the South African tour of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.”
He worked for the Stage Audio Works Group as an Integration Engineer. Brendan has performed alongside musicians such as Kingsley Buitendag, Nishlyn Ramanna and opened for Ringo Madlingozi. He has also performed live on SABC 2s Morning Live. He currently teaches class music in the FET band at Victoria Girls’ High School. In 2022, he was awarded a Bronze Ovation Award for his performance in Fragments.
