William Haubrich (b. 1960)
List of Works
Instrumentation: voices, drums, saxophone and ensemble
Duration: 10:28
Programmatic information: a three-movement work that utilises ritual drumming, chanting, and jazz inflections to tribute to African initiations, lamentations, and celebrations.
Three movements:
- Intlombe (3:43)
- Thulani, Thulile (3:12)
- Umsthato (3:33)
Instrumentation: Soprano and/or alto saxophone and wind band
Duration: 20:00
Premier information:
Premiered by Cailin Rabie (Saxophone) for the South African National Saxophone Symposium with the University of Stellenbosch Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Conducted by Rik Ghesquière. 31 August 2019. Endler Hall Stellenbosch.
Programmatic information:
Programme note from composer: “This work was commissioned by SAMRO at the request of saxophonist Dr Matthew Lombard for the National Saxophone Symposium. This work (and others) stem from my experiences performing with African bands since my arrival in Cape Town in 1982, when I joined the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. They are also heavily influenced from my participation in the country’s rich jazz scene. Regardless of these influences, the work is intended for musicians without any special training in these fields, that is, classically trained. At the request of Dr Lombard, the work enables swapping between soprano and alto saxes within each movement. It is also performable either all on soprano, or all on alto. Each movement was named after composing. The first movement seemed deliberate and somewhat serious, so I tried to imagine what African youth might currently be deliberate and somewhat serious about. The name Phambili came to mind from my work with the marimba band bearing that name. The second movement reflects my gigs at the venue Jazz in the Native Yard. Like myself, venue organizer Koko Kalashe is a wine enthusiast, and breaks between sets always included sampling and discussing his vinous offerings. Named after a member of Phambili, Party at Themba’s expresses the warmth and optimism I often experience when playing music with friends. It humorously contrasts the joy of keeping things simple with my struggle to do just that.”
Resource: Youth of Africa Suite-William Haubrich, 22 June 2022 [Video File]. Available: https://youtu.be/hxRMyOgcmNs [2023, 31 August].
Three movement work:
I. Siyaya Phambili (We Go Forward)
II. Sundowners
III. Party at Themba’s
Recording:
I:
II:
III:
About the composer...
Born in San Diego, California in 1960, multi-instrumentalist William Haubrich joined the Cape Town Symphony in 1982 and was soon ensconced into the local jazz and African music scenes. He has arranged and composed for symphony orchestra, jazz ensembles, theatre, choirs, African groups and has an international reputation combining Western and Southern African music and musicians. He performs professionally on trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, sackbut, euphonium and tuba, and runs the William Haubrich Brass Studio on the international SoundBetter platform.
William works tirelessly as educator and clinician to bring South African brass players to an international standard. His classical students fill the brass sections of national orchestras, while his jazz students perform internationally and win awards for their CD recordings and compositions, including the Global Peace Song Award-Jazz Category.