Rob Fokkens

The post-colonial violin

by Rob Fokkens [South Africa]

This paper is based on my experience as a composer for violin. I shall look at the historically complex relationship between classical music and “folk music” (or imperial Europe and its colonies) and how this has changed over the last century, causing an almost complete switch in the way they are respectively valued in society at large. .

I shall discuss briefly my own experiences as a post-colonial composer. Specifically my works for violin, and my collaboration with violinist Harriet Mackenzie, and how my fascination with fiddle music and string music from all over the place have fed into the pieces I've written for her. I'll also introduce two South African bowed instruments which have been absolutely fundamental to the development of my own compositional style.