Geleentheidsmusiek in Suid-Afrika 1786-1896 - Anna Bender-Brink

Geleentheidsmusiek in Suid-Afrika 1786-1896

A Meticulous Chronicle of Early Colonial Commemorative Music and Performing Arts

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Geleentheidsmusiek in Suid-Afrika 1786-1896
• Author: Anna Bender-Brink
• Publisher: Raad vir Geesteswetenskaplike Navorsing (RGN) / HSRC, Pretoria
• Publication Date: 1983 (First Edition)
• ISBN-10: 0797003371
• Edition Details: First Edition, Academic Monograph Release.
• Binding: Original publisher's cream card wrappers with minimalist typographic cover layout.
• Physical Format: Large Octavo (8vo), 198 pages. Enhanced with reproduction concert broadsides, historical sheet music fragments, and archival programs.
• Language: Afrikaans

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Wraps: The original cream card covers are flat, clean, and structurally sound. Shows slight natural tanning/browning along the outer edges and spine due to age, which is typical for this type of paper. The spine remains uncreased and firm.
• Interior: Very Good Plus (VG+). The text block is clean and secure. The pages are free of foxing, highlighting, library stamps, or folded corners, keeping the academic data crisp and clear.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Geleentheidsmusiek in Suid-Afrika 1786-1896 offers a fascinating look at the music written for special occasions in early South Africa over a 110-year period. Published by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Anna Bender-Brink’s study explores the music composed for historic events like military victories, royal birthdays, state funerals, and church dedications. The book shows how music evolved from early colonial days at the Cape through the expansion into the interior, shedding light on the social life and performing arts of the era.

Author Profile: Anna Bender-Brink

Anna Bender-Brink was a highly accomplished South African musicologist, pianist, and researcher who wrote extensively on the country's classical music history. She spent decades digging through museum archives and church records to uncover forgotten musical scores. Her work with the HSRC helped document South Africa's early musical heritage, and her books remain essential reading for researchers studying the history of performing arts in the country.