Inspired by lullabies: Folk song arrangements by Hannes Taljaard

Abstract

This article analyses and discusses some of the characteristics of two sets of piano arrangements of traditional lullabies by the South African composer Hannes Taljaard (1971-). The deceptively simple arrangements in Two lullabies (2001) and Zwikumbu Zwingana (2010) feature interesting accompaniments, colourful harmony and the alteration of melodic contours, as well as metric and harmonic instability and the avoidance of clear cadences.