Cromwell Everson

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Dr Cromwell Everson

Head of performing arts department Technicon Natal, South Africa
Term 1976 – 1991
Predecessor first
Successor none
Born 28 September 1925
Beaufort West
Died 11 June 1991
Durban
Alma mater Stellenbosch University and University of Cape Town
Residence Durban
Profession Classical music Composer
Religion Dutch Reformed Church
Spouse Hermine
Children Katrienka, Ludwig and Melina

Cromwell Everson was primarily known as a composer during his lifetime. He was brought up as an Afrikaner by his mother, Maria De Wit and father, Robert Everson. He continued this tradition and all his children were brought up as Afrikaners.

Everson wrote the first Afrikaans opera, and most of his other vocal works were in Afrikaans. His works consist of five sonatas, a trio, an opera, a set of inventions, four song-cycles, a piano suite, miscellaneous movements for the piano and guitar and an incomplete symphony and string quartet.

During Everson's career in Worcester, Western Cape he also gave music lessons to the famous musician David Kramer.

Contents

[edit] Education

Everson composing
Everson composing

[edit] Compositions

[edit] Vocal Works

[edit] Opera

  • Klutaimnestra (eng:Clytemnestra) (Libretto, Cromwell Everson), Afrikaans opera in four acts (1967). First performance 7 November 1967, Biesenbach Hall, Worcester
  • Rat a Plan (Libretto, unannotated), incomplete chamber opera (1952).

[edit] Choral

  • Kyrie Eleison, SATB (1952)

[edit] Song Cycles

  • Vier Liefdesliedjies ("four love songs") for soprano and piano (1949). First performance on 9 June 1955 in the Stellenbosch Conservatory of Music. First radio broadcast performance on 11 January 1960 (Switzerland).
    1. Nagliedjie (N. P. van Wyk Louw)
    2. Net altyd jy (N. P. van Wyk Louw)
    3. Nooit Nog (W. E. G. Louw)
    4. Dennebosse (N. P. van Wyk Louw).
Music sample

piano Everson and vocal Alexander Swartz (1987)

"Die Dobbelsteen, cycle nr. 4. Boer"


poem D.J. Opperman and music Everson

Problems? See media help.
  • Water en Woestyn (1955) re-titled Die Dobbelsteen (1984). First performance on 26 August 1956 in the Stellenbosch Conservatory of Music.
    1. By alle skone dinge (N. P. van Wyk Louw)
    2. Drie Bome (Uys Krige)
    3. Die Karnaval sal eindig (I. Rousseau)
    4. Boer (D. J. Opperman)
    5. Hael (D. J. Opperman)
    6. Wat kan ek jou gee? (N. P. van Wyk Louw)
    7. Nagrit (I. Rousseau)
  • Three Brontë Songs (1987)

[edit] Solo Songs

[edit] Instrumental Works

[edit] Orchestral

  • Symphony, an incomplete work (1953)
  • Danza Senzule for chamber orchestra (1961)

[edit] Chamber Music

  • String Quartet (first movement), an incomplete work (1949)
Music sample

Zotan, Hall and Everson on piano (1987)

"Trio for Viola, Cello and Piano"
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  • Trio for Viola, Violoncello and Piano (1963)

First complete performance 8 April 1978, SABC Concert Studio Seapoint, Cape Town. Firt radio broadcast performance 20 July 1971 (SABC).

  • String Quartet, an incomplete work (1970)

[edit] Solo Works

  • Suite for Piano (1951)
  • Prelude and Fuga for piano solo (1953-1954)
  • Sonata - Variation I for piano solo (1953)
  • Sonata - Variation II for piano solo (1956)
Music sample

Violin Annie Kostman and piano Sienie van der Bram

"Sonata for Violin and Piano"
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  • Sonata for violin and piano (1954). Dedicated to famous violinist Maria Neuss. First performance and live broadcast (SABC) 22 August 1954, Hidding Hall, Cape Town.
  • Three Eliegies for piano solo (1970)
  • Variations for piano (1978)
  • Etude for piano solo (1981)
  • Guitar Sonata (1984). Dedicated to David Hewitt
Music sample

Martin Harris on guitar

"Cantús Tristitae"
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  • Cantús Tristitae, for solo guitar (1984). First performance 11 Augustus 1985, Jubilee Hall, Durban. First radio broadcast performance 5 July 1988 (SABC).
  • Sonato for solo flute (1987). Dedicated to Esmé Venter.
  • Sonato for violin solo (1985 rev. 1987). Dedicated to Marike Urban-Grimm.
  • Wedding March for organ solo (1987). Dedicated to Ludwig en Retha Everson.
Everson composing a tune on his computer
Everson composing a tune on his computer

[edit] Electro-Acoustical Works

  • Son Staan Stil, an electronic music composition (1971)
  • Seven Inventions, a computer music composition (1988)

[edit] Media

Full version of the above samples:
if you have problems with "play in browser" click on "(file info)" and then click on the "play media" button.

[edit] External links

Everson as painted by his wife Hermine Everson
Everson as painted by his wife Hermine Everson

[edit] References

  • "The life and music of Cromwell Everson" by Brukman, Jeffrey James - Thesis, Doctor of Musicology, 2006, UNISA
  • "Komponiste van Suid-Afrika" Composers of South Africa by Bouws, Jan, publisher C.F. Albertyn (Pty) Ltd, Stellenbosch, 1971
Languages