Cromwell Everson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr Cromwell Everson
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| Head of the performing arts department at Technicon Natal, South Africa | |
| In office 1976–1991 |
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| Preceded by | first |
| Succeeded by | none |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 September 1925 Beaufort West, Cape Province, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 11 June 1991 (aged 65) Durban, Natal, Republic of South Africa |
| Spouse | Hermine |
| Children | Katrienka, Ludwig and Melina |
| Residence | Durban |
| Alma mater | Stellenbosch University and University of Cape Town |
| Profession | Classical music composer |
Cromwell Everson (born 28 September 1925 – died 11 June 1991) was a famous composer from South Africa. He was known for writing classical music.
Cromwell Everson grew up in an Afrikaner family. Afrikaners are a group of people in South Africa who speak Afrikaans. He continued this tradition with his own children.
Everson wrote the very first opera in the Afrikaans language. An opera is a play where the story is told mostly through singing. Many of his other songs were also in Afrikaans. His musical works included sonatas, an opera, and pieces for piano and guitar. He also started writing a symphony and a string quartet, but didn't finish them.
During his time in Worcester, Western Cape, Everson taught music lessons. One of his students was the well-known musician David Kramer.
In 2007, after his death, Everson was honored by the ATKV. This is a group that supports the Afrikaans language and culture. They recognized him for his important Afrikaans opera.
Contents
Cromwell Everson's Education
Cromwell Everson studied music at important universities in South Africa.
- In 1945, he finished high school in Beaufort West.
- By 1950, he earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Stellenbosch University.
- Later, in 1974, he received his Doctor of Music degree from the University of Cape Town.
Cromwell Everson's Music
Cromwell Everson created many different types of music. He wrote pieces for singers, instruments, and even used early computer technology.
Vocal Music
Vocal music is written for singers. Everson wrote operas and song cycles.
Operas
- Klutaimnestra (also known as Clytemnestra) was his most famous opera. It was written in Afrikaans in 1967. The first performance was in Worcester that same year.
- Rat a Plan was an unfinished short opera from 1952.
Song Cycles
Song cycles are groups of songs that tell a story or share a theme.
- Vier Liefdesliedjies (meaning "Four Love Songs") was for a soprano singer and piano. It was first performed in 1955.
- Kontraste (meaning "Contrasts") was written in 1951.
- Water en Woestyn (meaning "Water and Desert") was later renamed Die Dobbelsteen (meaning "The Dice"). It was first performed in 1956.
- Three Brontë Songs was a song cycle from 1987.
Solo Songs
Everson also wrote individual songs for a single singer and piano.
- Maria (1949)
- Nagstorm oor die see (meaning "Night Storm over the Sea") (1950)
- Die Vreemde Dae (meaning "The Strange Days") (1949)
Instrumental Music
Instrumental music is written for musical instruments.
Orchestral Music
- He started writing a Symphony in 1953, but it was not completed.
- Danza Senzule was a piece for a small orchestra, written in 1961.
Chamber Music
Chamber music is for a small group of instruments.
- He began a String Quartet in 1949, but it was unfinished.
- His Trio for Viola, Violoncello (cello), and Piano was completed in 1963. It was first performed in 1978.
- Another String Quartet was started in 1970, but also remained incomplete.
Solo Works
These pieces were written for a single instrument.
- Suite for Piano (1951)
- Prelude and Fuga for piano (1953–1954)
- Sonata – Variation I for piano (1953)
- Sonata – Variation II for piano (1956)
- Sonata for violin and piano (1954). This piece was dedicated to a famous violinist, Maria Neuss.
- Three Eliegies for piano (1970)
- Variations for piano (1978)
- Etude for piano (1981)
- Guitar Sonata (1984). This was dedicated to David Hewitt.
- Cantús Tristitae, for solo guitar (1984).
- Sonato for solo flute (1987). Dedicated to Esmé Venter.
- Sonato for violin solo (1985, revised 1987). Dedicated to Marike Urban-Grimm.
- Wedding March for organ (1987). Dedicated to his children, Ludwig and Retha Everson.
Electro-acoustical Works
Everson also explored new ways of making music using technology.
- Son Staan Stil was an electronic music piece from 1971.
- Seven Inventions was a computer music piece from 1988.
Images for kids
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Dr. Cromwell Everson
