Rosanthorn Electric Cello Trio combines the talents of Dorette Roos, Carol Thorns and Anjulie Nock.
This all-female electric cello trio has set out a compositional and technical journey to explore all that the cello has to offer across multiple genres and timbres.
Their repertoire includes recordings and re-interpretations of works as varied as Vivaldi’s Double Concerto in G Minor, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, and Imogen Heap’s Hide and Seek. The Parting, by Helmut Meijer, is a reflective, stripped-down, soulful composition which inspired their first music video.
Says producer and composer Helmut Meijer: “The sound of the three cellos together is exquisite. This project is musically satisfying and a pleasure to record. I predict that Rosanthorn is going to be the talk of the town.”
Carol Thorns, a Cum Laude Bachelor of Music graduate from Rhodes University, is an industry pioneer of the electric string genre.
Dorette Roos, who has been playing for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra since 2008, says Rosanthorn allows her to redefine her cello playing.
“Cello has always been a huge part of my life. With a degree in cello performance, one is trained as a strictly classical musician – performing in orchestra and playing chamber music – always with sheet music in front of you.
“Rosanthorn brings a whole new dimension to my world of cello playing. Performing with an electric instrument takes on a completely different role from being a classical orchestral musician. I am extremely excited to be part of this project,” she says.
Anjulie Nock, who is also head of music at Parklands College, composed two of the tracks on the six-track digital album released this month by Rosanthorn. One of these tracks, Umdaniso Dolore, is a dance written in the style of a tango, with an African ‘stomping’ influences.
Julie explains: “The theme is melancholy, to be performed ‘dolore’ which means sorrowfully, or with sadness. Umdaniso is the Xhosa and Zulu term for ‘dance’. This dance of sorrow, musically translates the human emotion of being able to feel happiness and pain simultaneously.”
Rosanthorn will be performing at The Drama Factory, 25 Comprop Square, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park, Strand, on Friday April 21, at 7pm.
Tickets cost R120. For more information or to book, email info@thedramafactory.co.za
