Masters Degrees (Odeion School of Music)
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Item Open Access Die lewe en werk van Gabriel Gideon Cillie (1910-2000) in kultuurhistoriese perspektief(University of the Free State, 2006-11) Erasmus, Joanita; Viljoen, M.English: This study aims to outline the life and work of Gabriel Gideon Cillié (1910-2000). In his lifetime Cillié was an authority in the fields of Mathematics and Astronomy. He also made a particularly meaningful contribution to the development of the South African culture historical domain, as a choir master and organist, as an arranger of religious choir music and folk songs, and also as a cultural leader. The methodological framework of this project is underpinned by the systematic biographical model. In this respect, the (conservative) point of departure is that the documenting of Cillié’s life and work should be based as accurate a report of the available data as is possible. Although no claim is made to factual infallibility, or to the fact that the construction of Cillié’s persona as presented here is the only, or last, ‘word’ on the topic, this work represents a selective exploration of material not otherwise researched. Two of the appendixes provide a systematisation of his legacy that could serve as a springboard for further research. Concerning the chapters on Cillié's culture-historical contribution, the most important conclusion to be drawn is the fact that, despite certain critical reservations, he significantly contributed to the history of Reformed church music in South Africa. Seen against the background of the economic recession which affected church music in the Afrikaans-speaking Reformed churches during the 1930s, the importance and timeliness of this contribution is particularly evident. By means of extensive research on his part, which resulted in public lectures, letters in journals and newspapers, as well as through numerous popular and popular-scientific publications, Cillié did much to establish an awareness of the necessity to preserve this particular cultural legacy. Related to these activities, it has been found that he contributed much to the building and renovation of pipe organs within the Afrikaans Reformed community. In many churches throughout the country there are organs designed, and, in most cases, also inaugurated by Cillié. This contribution he provided free of charge at a time when there were few other people in the country to take the lead in this regard. As the choir master of the Stellenbosch University Choir and the choir of the DR Mother Church, Stellenbosch, and as the founder of both the choir of the Theological Seminary and of the Stellenbosch Student Song Festivals, Cillié made his mark within South African choral culture. As a composer and arranger he enriched the Afrikaans choral repertoire. With the exception of his seven cantatas, Cillié did not produce large-scale compositions, but, in the arranging of music, he may be regarded as one of the most productive arrangers in our country active during the twentieth century. As a result of his intense interest in things historical, he also collected and notated a substantial collection of ‘liederwysies’ (archaic hymn tunes) – which, in itself constitutes a most valuable cultural legacy: even today, his work on the origins of the Afrikaans hymns is an important reference work. The scope of Cillié’s leadership within the ambit of the Afrikaans cultural organisations is reflected in the fact that, for a considerable time, he held key positions in several committees, and also received an exceptional number of awards and merits for his contributions. On the personal level, too, Cillié lived with great distinction. He was highly respected as a colleague and is remembered with great warmth and appreciation. The members of his immediate family members depict him as a disciplined and hardworking spouse and father whose dedication to his task sometimes involved painful sacrifices – but who, at the same time was firmly committed to family life. Against this background, the image of Cillié, as constructed in this study, is one of having exceptional talent, and of living a life of sustained dedication to the ideals for which he stood. His contribution was influential and formative within his own lifetime, and its importance, even when making allowance for certain critical reservations, cannot be denied.