Surendran Reddy · Toccata for Madiba

Performance by Herman Jordaan, organ.
Score preparation by Herman Jordaan.
South African composer Surendran Reddy (1962-2010) was known both as a classical and as a jazz pianist. Inspired by the multicultural society of South Africa, he fused a variety of styles in his works, including classical, township jazz, South African mbaqanga, and other world music elements. He even invented a name for it - he called it “clazz”.
Toccata for Madiba is dedicated to South Africa's erstwhile president, Nelson Mandela, often fondly referred to as Madiba, his clan name. The final section (from the fugato) is based on Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika, part of the South African national anthem.
In his notes to the performer, Reddy writes: “Like a Baroque composer I prefer not to suffocate my scores with a profusion of interpretative markings. […] Without giving precise registration indications I have made minimal suggestions in the score (such as the echo effects which I would like at the beginning). These should not constrain the performer in any way whatsoever for whom indeed the sky could and should be the limit!”
Then, about traditional African influences, he writes that “the section from bars 38 to 75 has been influenced by a uniquely South African style of music known as mbaqanga. This wonderful style arose out of traditional African rhythmic and melodic elements blended together with Western harmonic ideas and instrumentation. In my opinion it should and will one day exist side by side with other well-known world styles; one should for instance be able to see in ‘The Real Book’ the indication ‘in mbaqanga style’ as one sees the legends ‘latin-american’ or ‘swing’ or ‘fast funk’, etc.”
And finally: “So just pull out all the stops and have fun with Toccata for Madiba!”
I tried to reproduce the score as faithfully as possible (using Dorico), including the somewhat idiosyncratic performance directions by the composer.
Recorded at Universiteitsoord church, Pretoria, South Africa.