Programme note
The music of Hans Roosenschoon, like that of many (or most) of his contemporaries, is music which strongly relates to modern man and his world.
It is, however, not only the character of the composer's sound world which supports this reality, but also the fascination he has for extra-musical elements on which he often relies for a creative input. These elements, be it a stray verse, poetic line or atmosphere, a social phenomenon, a contemporary fashion or local rhythm, are extended by means of quotes from the products of a rich musical past - such as the sudden appearance of a melody by Bach or the utilisation of some old compositional principle. The latter, however, is seldom just another form of "neo-classicism", but more often, a mere element with which to enrich a contemporary musical experience.
An example of this process can be found in Roosenschoon's work, IF MUSIC BE. This title happens to be more than a mere quotation from Shakespeare - it is in fact the generating force and philosophical foundation of the piece, a kind of ideé fixe through which the composer projects a multitude of audio experiences to which the contemporary listener is being subjected, be it on the radio, in the concert hall, or for that matter, at a horse racing event! This also explains, from a compositional point of view, the somewhat episodic character of the work in which widely divergent elements such as fragments from Bach's B minor Mass are used alongside a pop song.
What also puts IF MUSIC BE in a class of its own, is that it is not intended for live performance. In order to utilise the widest possible variety of material and to control and group it successfully, the whole work was put together and mixed on multi-track equipment.
A whole range of instruments are used: from a keyboard synthesiser to a string ensemble, from voices reciting a line to a pop group.
IF MUSIC BE is a homage to the art of J.S. Bach, and was commissioned by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) for the Bach year of 1985.
The quotation from Shakespeare plays a significant role not only on an intellectual or emotional level, but also philosophically speaking:
if music is indeed the very essence of life, we should certainly keep on playing......
(Danie Fourie)
Review
Roosenschoon's ability to draw and integrate material from a wide variety of sources is remarkable and his instinctive feeling for drama and comic relief is noteworthy. This unique work [If music be] of immense beauty deserves a place amongst the very best of works which are primarily conceived according to electronic means. If music be is so very different in style from Roosenschoon's orchestral work Anagram and the brass quintet Makietie (both of which are published by Musications). The composer's versatility is particularly striking; he appears to be capable of successfully handling any medium to which his imagination may lead him.
(James, Christopher. 1986. HANS ROOSENSCHOON: IF MUSIC BE in:
South African Journal of Musicology (SAMUS), Volume 6 no.1/2)
The music for people who are tired of music.
(Campling, Alan. 8 August 1985, STAR)
Heyneman, Louis. 23 November 1984, DIE BURGER
Hofmeyr, WA. 12 July 1985, DIE BURGER
Van Wyk, Barbara. 13 July 1985, EASTERN PROVINCE HERALD