Lourens Faul
Lourens Faul (1931-). Composer, pianist, organist, teacher and musicologist.
Contents
Biography
Born in Johannesburg.
Training
He studied in Vienna for two and a half years where his subjects included lieder accompaniment with Franz Holetschek, orchestra direction with Prof. Hans Zwarofski, choir direction with Prof. H Schmidt (amongst other leaders of the Choir of the Freunde der Musik), lieder interpretation with the well-known German tenor Julius Patzak, and a Reifeprüfung in piano accompaniment cum laude. He has also achieved his B.Mus. Hons cum laude, M.Mus., D.Mus. and HOD.
Career
Faul lectured in school singing and led choirs at Fakkel High School, in singing and piano at Wits University and was Head of the Music Department at the Johannesburg College of Education, in addtion, he developed the music laboratories for the Transvaal Education Department. He also acted as professional accompanist for the SABC and the ‘Akademie für Musik und Darstellende Kunst ' in Vienna for Opsa. He led choirs at schools, colleges and the SABC as well as the Schola Cantorum and Lyra-quartet.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Faul composed an number of operettas, including Die Prins van Monakatoo (1957), Skoenmaker Stillewater (1960), Die Seemeeu Roep (1962), Mooifontein se Meisies (1964), Ons vir jou (1965) and Ponkie en Sy Donkie (1975). Other works include Kermiskaperjolle, Die Trein na Sewefontein, Come to the Fair (1983), Frille en Fraiings.
He sang opera, ‘Uberto’ in La Serva Padrona, as well as the lead in his own operetta Mooifontein se Meisies, and directed the opera Princess Ida at Wits University. Together with Fanus Rautenbach he won a prize for their satirical musical Lekkerleefland.
Awards, honours
He has received a number of prizes including the TOTAL Special Prize for his Sonata for chamber orchestra and three first prizes for the ATKV choir competitions. He was honoured in 2020 with the “Hoogste Nasionale” ATKV commendation for his exceptional contribution to Afrikaans culture.
Sources
Hilde Roos. 2012. 'Indigenisation and history: how opera in South Africa became South African opera'. Acta Academica Supplementum. 2012(1).
Village Vibe, September 2023. https://hibiscusretirementvillages.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/September-Village-Vibe-2023_.pdf
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