Jankowitz, Christo

 

b. 1977

 

Christo Jankowitz studied composition with Prof. Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph at the University of the Witwatersrand. Obtaining a Masters degree cum laude in 2005, his continued studies led to the conferment of a Doctor of Music in the field of Composition in 2011. In addition to these studies, Christo attended the seminar given by Kevin Volans (at Wits in 2003) and master classes in composition and orchestration in Montreal Canada (2009). In 2012 he was offered a Golden Key membership, and he attended the Atlantic Music Festival Composition Programme in the USA as an Ernest Oppenheimer Trust scholar.

 

In 2005 the academic article entitled ‘What Quackie said to Meister Eckhardt’ about the music of American post-minimalist John Adams (written jointly with the late Mary Rörich) was published in SAMUS.

 

In 2007 the University of the Witwatersrand commissioned him to compose a fanfare for the investiture of Chancellor Dikgang Moseneke. His composition Rituals in Salutation of the Rain Goddess was chosen by the local jury for the ISCM World Music Days in 2008. During this time he also won the first prize in the SENA/SOWETAN Massed choir Festival Composition Competition for the choral work This is the Day. He also received the main award for music at the MTN CIT:Y Awards for the work Ballad of the Nightingale and the Rose and subsequently received the MTN CIT:Y Discretionary Bursary in 2009. Christo received the Merit Award at the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship Competition for Composers twice (2006 and 2010).

 

Performances of works occur regularly. Of these the premieres of Gnomisms at Unisa (November 2008), Reminiscences of Forgotten Innocence (Darling Music Experience 2011) and Bright Morning Bustle (GIPCA New Modernities Conference 2011) and Karoo Wind (Stellenbosch Woordfees 2014) stand out in particular. Christo also received a number of commissions from Samro which most recently include Carnival Faces (2013) and Feeling Good (2014). 

 

Chamber Works: 

Septet (2002) - for Flute, Clarinet, Basson, Horn, guitar, Viola and Cello

Rituals in Salutation of the Rain Goddess (2005) - for String Quartet

Chancellor’s Fanfare (2007) - for Four Trumpets

Ballad of the Nightingale and the Rose (2008) - for Flute, Cello and Piano 

Gnomisms (2008) - for Violin, Bassoon and Piano

Lullaby for the Damned (2008) - for Soprano, 2 Trumpets and String Quartet

Whence the Dark Bestows (2008) - for Woodwind Quintet

Karoo Wind (2010) - for Flute, Violin and Harp

Reminiscences of Forgotten Innocence (2011 – Darling ME Commission) - for Flute, Violin and Piano

Bright Morning Bustle (2011) - for Clarinet Quintet

Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon (2013)

Night Call from Far Away for Alto Sax and Piano (2014 - SAMRO Commission)

Feeling Good for Alto Sax Grade 5 and Piano (2014 – SAMRO Commission)

 

Orchestral works: 

Syntaxis (2004) - for large Orchestra

Orange fading into Night (2004) - for small orchestra 

A Caustic Reply (2005) - for Harpsichord and Orchestra

Concerto for Xylophone and Orchestra (2010)

Prisms (2010) - for Small Orchestra (2010)

…if once there was an Epic tale… - for Highschool Orchestral Ensemble (2014)

 

Choral/Vocal Works: 

African cantata (2002) - for Mixed chorus, percussion and Harp.

Your children are not your children (2008) - for Mixed chorus a capella

This is the Day (2008) - for Mixed chorus a capella

Exsultate Justi (2010) - for Four Part Boys Choir a capella

The Widow - for Eight Part Mixed Choir (2011 – SAMRO Commission)

 

Solo Instrumental Works:

Scattered Thoughts for a Thursday (2005) - for Solo Marimba

Toccata and Fugue for Organ (2007)

Carnival Faces for Solo Marimba (SAMRO Commission)