The complete works of Peter Louis van Dijk : a short biography, annotated catalogue and discussion regarding gestures derived from ideology associated with the San people of the Southern Kalahari in three of his major works

Abstract

This study undertakes a detailed look at the compositional output of the South African composer, Peter Louis van Dijk. The first course of action was to research and discuss a particular aspect of his work, a close examination of his views and thoughts regarding the San people of the Southern Kalahari and how that has influenced some of his compositions. The second was to compile a thorough catalogue of his compositional output to add to the scant body of literature pertaining to creative oeuvre.

Due to the scarcity of information regarding Peter Louis van Dijk, it was prudent to dedicate a study to him. Furthermore, only a brief catalogue of his work until now was presented on Wikipedia and within the annals of the Samro Foundation.

Van Dijk is certainly not the only composer who has created works dealing with the people of Africa; many other South African composers before him have dealt with the subject. This study looks at the high artistic merit of three works, in particular, to ascertain the extent to which the composer asserted himself within the paradigm of an African context.

This study may be of interest to students of music composition, ethnomusicology or music historians intrigued with the history of one of South Africa’s most prolific composers.