5 minute read
Keeping Music Alive
Christopher Duigan, and his Music Revival initiative, are synonymous with accessible live classical music concerts performed throughout South Africa, with home-town Pietermaritzburg as its fulcrum. For the past 30 something years, Duigan performed on average 100 performances a year - solo, with associates and with musical ensembles.
Together with virtually the whole global arts community, his ability to perform ground to a halt when live performance opportunities ceased the moment a hard lockdown was declared. In order not to lose momentum, Duigan opted to explore live music concerts streamed from his beautiful Maritzburg home. The concerts have become more technologically sophisticated and more creatively interesting with the passing of the months, and Duigan and his plethora of appreciative loyal
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fans around the country have become comfortable with the twice-weekly musical offerings. Duigan is quite possibly the only concert pianist in the world, and certainly the only pianist in South Africa, to be doing this. “This started off as a temporary project, an interim measure to allow me to perform over hard lockdown, but it is Together with virtually becoming a permanent and important part of my output, and I intend to the whole global continue with this, in addition to live arts community, his concerts which are beginning to open up,” he says. ability to perform ground to a halt... “My live concerts have appealed particularly to dedicated music lovers, but interestingly the online concerts are also providing a service akin to informal music therapy...” “My live concerts have appealed particularly to dedicated music lovers, but interestingly the online concerts are
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also providing a service akin to informal music therapy - an hour of company and calm amidst all the uncertainty. It is surprising how many of the comments are appreciative of this. It’s not about the music necessarily, but what the music represents. The predictability and structure of music is soothing and reassuring.
“I read with interest about the musicians that have performed during times of war and crisis, and am beginning to understand better about the restorative and healing role of music. I am inspired by Myra Hess who arranged 20 000 regular lunchtime concerts over six and a half years during the Second World War - performing amidst the bombing. She personified the war motto of Keep Calm and Carry On. Her commitment and bravery were astonishing.”
“And of course, the concerts can be watched from anywhere in the world, so I am not bound by geography, which means friends of friends are beginning to join us from all over the place. And that they are regular and free - so the predictability allows people to schedule and plan. Viewers can comment and give feedback on Facebook, so I can respond during the concert which personalises the concert experience. It is such a fascinating process!”
Duigan plays carefully structured repertoires of familiar music, interspersed with some original and improv pieces. The tone is informal and cosy - music
interspersed by conversation, with Chris talking about the pieces being performed… and occasionally apologising for the intrusion of his Dachshunds who wander ‘on stage’!
Pre-lockdown, Christopher was one of South Africa’s busiest concert artists. His performances ranged from those of the core classical repertoire, both as a soloist with orchestra, and in recital, to music well beyond the classical repertoire. His strong sense of community was shown in his active promotion of regular Music Revival concerts across KZN and other parts of the country. These concerts have not only developed new audiences in various communities, but also provided a performance platform for many young and aspiring soloists. Duigan’s work as an entrepreneurial musician has attracted international attention for his innovative and ground-breaking approach, and his activities have been said to be truly representative of a 21st century classical musician.
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The challenge is of course earning an income through the online medium. Duigan is clear that he wants to continue to offer the concerts for free - and invites audiences to make a donation if they are able to, but the financial implications of his concert series are difficult, especially as there are costs involved in creating the concerts.
“I hope to find a way to make the numbers work as I intend to continue. In fact, it feels as though I am just getting started!” Viewers can access all 125 previous livestreams at https://www.youtube. com/c/ChristopherDuigan where they are stored and are viewable.
The performance sessions can be viewed LIVE at the above address and also at Facebook https://www.facebook. com/christopherduiganpianist and his website https://www.musicrevival. co.za/ every Wednesday and Saturday at 18h00 (CAT)! Simply go online to one of these sites with your smart phone, tablet, computer or smart TV from one minute to 6:00 pm and refresh the feed - the live-stream will magically appear! The sessions can be viewed free - but donations are requested!
Written by Illa Thompson, Publicity Matters
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