(Above: Warren Bessey)
William Charlton-Perkins writes a regular feature for the media titled Classical Notes. This one is titled Onwards and Upwards.
For a man of many skills - Warren Bessey
Some people go through life exploring new horizons and cramming as much creative diversity into their day as they possibly can. One such is Canadian-born composer Warren Bessey, whose latest magnum opus, iNkosi uShaka: Umbono, Isizwe, Isiphetho (“King Shaka: A Vision, A Nation, A Destiny”), will be performed by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban on March 23, 2023, as the closing work of its 2023 Summer Season.
Conceived on the grandest of scales, this monumental work for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra, forms a proud new edition to the growing symphonic literature dedicated to the proud heritage of the Zulu Nation. As its title indicates, it centres around the iconic person of the mighty warrior-king, Shaka kaSenzangakhona (1787-1828), also embracing a coterie of other historic figures such his ruthless aunt, Mkabayi kaJama (dubbed 'The King Maker'), and the beautiful Queen Nandi, Shaka’s adored mother.
Engaging with the prodigiously accomplished Mr Bessey, one learns that, besides composing, he is a writer, a producer of music (both symphonic and for a wide variety of media, including radio, television, advertising, and film), and a behaviour change communication specialist, a children’s author, a publisher, and a lecturer.
Over the course of his career, Bessey has served a client base of more than 75 companies and organizations with commissioned works from symphonic orchestra to commercial activities for wide-ranging and diverse audiences. His productions have achieved national and international accolades. His is a journey of many years and cross-cultural, multi-national experience.
A graduate of North Texas State University where he focused on Music Education, Performance, Jazz Education and Composition, Bessey has lived in South Africa since 1987. In this country he has served as Jingle Composer, Writer, Audio Producer, and Audio Engineer.
For more than 25 years, using intellectual and creative talents, he has produced numerous radio dramas and other behaviour change communication programmes (as commissioned by South African Government and donors) to provide key public health and development messages that are accessible and entertaining to reach audiences which relate culturally to storytelling and drama.
Bessey is also the writer and producer of a well-loved road safety education programme for children in isiZulu, Ungqimu idada no Siyaza idada, which set road safety rules to music and aired each Saturday morning for three years on South Africa’s uKhozi FM and had a Saturday morning listenership of more than 2.7 million. Most recently, he produced the first publication based on the life and works of iNyosi BM Mdletshe, poet, and official praise singer of the Zulu Monarchy for the past 22 years. The printed literary work (also in eBook, and audio book forms) spotlights Zulu royal history and the cultural and historical contribution of BM Mdletshe and those of his ancestors who served the Zulu Monarchy for more than 200 years.
"It was a tremendous opportunity to ensure a great historical narrative was documented in writing, preserved for the generations to come, and authentically presented to the world," says Bessey, who is currently due to graduate with a MMus in composition from Rhodes University.
"Over the past eight years," Bessey continues "I have composed three symphonic works based on Zulu royal history: Nandi, iNdlovukazi yezi Ndlovukazi (2016), Inkosazane Mkabayi (2018), and iNkosi uShaka: Umbono, Isizwe, Isiphetho (2023). The three works were, in essence, simultaneously conceived and visualized as three parts to an Afro-fusion contemporary ballet collectively entitled, ‘The Royal Trilogy.’ With successful performances of Nandi in 2016 which detailed the trials and tribulations of Shaka’s mother, and Inkosazane Mkabayi in 2018 which revealed his formidable aunt, the fierce statesman and brilliant strategist who masterminded both Shaka’s rise to power and his demise, the trilogy comes full circle with this performance of iNkosi uShaka. This work tells the powerful story of King Shaka, a military genius, remarkable political leader, and a prophet whose life was deeply impacted by both women. The complete story arising from across the collective works is one of family drama, passion, power, betrayal, and love, all of which lends itself beautifully to music (and, ultimately, to dance).
"Often, historical narratives have neglected or distorted the stories of these iconic characters and their accomplishments. Through my symphonic pieces, I have striven to tell the fascinating and inspiring accounts in a way that is truly relevant, authentic, and uplifting and maintains the integrity of South African history and culture.
"Hopefully we will come to understand King Shaka, Queen Nandi, and Princess Mkabayi in a new way, appreciating the unique place they occupy in the context of our struggle to redefine ourselves as South Africans. I pray that we are joined by a love for music and its power to transform us, and that, in this uniquely South African moment, we can experience a form of true social cohesion through the arts," Bessey concludes.
A lesson for us all. There's no resting on
his laurels for the indefatigable Warren Bessey, who wishes to thank the
National Arts Council (NAC) for supporting local job creation in the
performance of King Shaka: A Vision, A Nation, A Destiny, as well as the
KZN Philharmonic for giving his work a public platform.
Book through Quicket for the KZN Philharmonic's Summer Season which runs in the Playhouse Opera every Thursday at 19h00 from March 2 to 23, 2023. - William Charlton-Perkins
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