Braam du Toit

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Braam du Toit
Braam.webp
Born (1981-02-25) 25 February 1981 (age 44)
Alma mater University of Cape Town
Years active2007–present
Website braamdutoit.com

Braam du Toit (born 25 February 1981) is a South African composer and choral conductor. [1] He is the recipient of a number of accolades, including a South African Film and Television Award and a Naledi Theatre Award. His film scores include The Endless River (2015), Sew the Winter to My Skin (2018), and Moffie (2019).

Contents


Early life

Du Toit grew up in Swellendam, a town in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, where he attended Swellendam High School and lives to this day. He composed his first piece of music at 16. [2] He studied composition with Peter Klatzow at the University of Cape Town. He received the Priaulx Rainier Award for composition in 2001. [3] [4]

Artistry

Du Toit has cited John Tavener, Hildegard von Bingen, Michael Nyman, Meredith Monk, Claudio Monteverdi, Antonio Vivaldi, and Steve Martland among his influences. [3] He stated he has "always been interested in combining music with other art forms," and that he finds "the reciprocal influence between music, visuals and performance intriguing and exciting." [5]

Du Toit's compositional practice spans film, theatre, and concert music. His work is characterized by restraint, atmospheric textures, and contemplative writing.

Film

His film scores have earned international recognition including awards at FESPACO, the Monaco International Film Festival, and the South African Film and Television Awards. His score for Moffie (2019) received particular international critical acclaim, with reviewers across major publications including The Guardian, Los Angeles Times, Hollywood Reporter, and Variety praising the score's ability to capture complex psychological states through what Screen Daily described as music that heightened the film's "intense introspection." [6]

His earlier score for Sew the Winter to My Skin (2018), which won the FESPACO Award for Best Music, was described by The Hollywood Reporter as "glistening, dreamy, mournful," adding to what the review characterized as the film's "sense of lyrical otherness." [7]

Theatre

Du Toit's theatre work has been recognized with multiple awards including the Naledi Theatre Award for Best Sound and the Fiëstas Award for Best Achievement in Classical Music. [8]

Die Kortstondige Raklewe van Anastasia W (2010), a collaboration with playwright Marlene van Niekerk and director Marthinus Basson, earned him the Aardvark toekenning vir grondverskuiwende werk (Aardvark award for groundbreaking work) at Aardklop. [9] The production generated significant critical attention, with reviews in Die Burger and Beeld, [10] and became the subject of scholarly analysis including a major article in the South African Theatre Journal examining the work's cultural and artistic impact.

Balbesit (2013), directed by Jaco Bouwer, featured Du Toit's music described by reviewers as "haunting and powerful." [11] The production won Kanna awards at the KKNK festival in 2013.

Poskantoor (2014), also directed by Bouwer, won Best Production at the Aardklop Arts Festival in 2014. [12] Du Toit won the Fiëstas Award for Best Achievement in Classical Music for the work, with critics describing it as "extraordinary music." [13]

Du Toit also composed music for the Trilogy (Lot/Betésda/Babbel, 2013) with director Nicola Hanekom. [14]

Works

Theatre and opera

Dance

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Filmography

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2007Floodline (Afrikaans : Vloedlyn)Braam du ToitShort film
Meisie Darrell Roodt
2008Ella BlueMiniseries
2009Tornado and the Kalahari Horse Whisperer Regardt van den Bergh
2011Odd NumberMarius van StraatenDocumentary
2012Taste of Rain Richard Pakleppa
2013Vashou-dingLika BerningShort film
2013ToevlugChristiaan OlwagenShort film
2014Balbesit: 'n Studie in StemmeJaco Bouwer
2014TrippieNicola HanekomShort film
2014Run JoseDave MeinertShort film
2015BettieLika Berning, Jana Cilliers, and Catherine Meyburgh Documentary
2015Vryslag Marcel van Heerden Short film
2015 The Endless River Oliver Hermanus [21]
2016–2021Die BoekklubSeries
2016Die BylSeries
2016Vlees van my vleesMatthys BoshoffShort film
2018Fine Print (Afrikaans : Fynskrif)Louis Pretorius13 episodes
2018Scenes from a Dry CitySimon Wood and François Verster Documentary
2018 Sew the Winter to My Skin Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
2019 Moffie Oliver Hermanus [22] [23]
2019–2022Die BylLiezl Spies and Leon KrugerSeason 2-3, original theme music
2020Fine Print (Afrikaans : Fynskrif)Louis PretoriusMusic
2022Die BylLiezl Spies and Leon KrugerSeason 4
2023WinterslaapCorné van Rooyen and Armand BothaShort film
2023Reflections in a broken mirrorComposer: Archival Music
2024–2025Die BylOriginal theme music

Concert and chamber works

  • "Twaalfuurkop" (1998) – piano solo
  • "Die Morester" (1999) – mixed choir
  • "Vertroosting" (2001) – deep female voice and drone
  • "Tonteldoos" (2002)
  • "Tripsongs" (2003) – string quartet
  • "Gebed tot die Aardvark" (2006) – soprano and piano
  • "Soft Serve" (2008) – violin and harp
  • "Girltalk" (2008) – two pianos, two string quartets, and bass
  • "Item 1, 2 and 3" (2009) – clarinet, cello and piano/marimba. Selected as the South African work for the ISCM World New Music Days, Sydney (2010)
  • "Filigree for Florence" (2010) – flute and piano
  • "Seargent, teach the prince to ride" (2012) – soprano and piano
  • "My Blessing" (2016) – contralto/mezzo, string quintet and female choir (S+A)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef
2008 Seoul International Drama Awards Best Music DirectorElla BlueWon [a] [24]
2009 Monaco International Film Festival Best Original Music Soundtrack – Feature FilmTornado and the Kalahari Horse WhispererWon [25]
2010 South African Film and Television Awards Best Achievement in Original Score – Feature FilmNominated
2012 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Best Sound Design or Original ScoreThe Short Shelf Life of Anastasia WNominated [b]
2013 Naledi Theatre Awards Best SoundTrilogy: Lot / Betésda / BabbelWon [26]
2014Fleur du Cap Theatre AwardsBest Sound Design or Original ScoreRooilandNominated [27]
2015BalbesitNominated [28]
Fiëstas AwardsBest Achievement in Classical MusicPoskantoorWon [c]
Best New ProductionNominated [d]
2019 FESPACO Best Music Sew the Winter to My Skin Won [29]
2019South African Film and Television AwardsBest Achievement in Original Score – Television DramaFynskrifWon [30]

Notes

  1. ↑ Shared with Ronelle Loots.
  2. ↑ Shared with Mr Cat and the Jackal.
  3. ↑ Shared with Tertius Kapp and Jaco Bouwer.
  4. ↑ Shared with Tertius Kapp and Jaco Bouwer.

References

  1. ↑ "Du Toit oor teatermusiek". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 3 April 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. ↑ de Beer, Diane (5 April 2011). "Music that transports you…". IOL. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  3. 1 2 Brown, Galen H. (11 May 2008). "Profiling Braam du Toit". Sequenza 21. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Braam du Toit visits Swellendam High School's Film Club". Awsum News. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Braam Du Toit". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  6. ↑ [[citation needed] "Moffie review compilation"]. Retrieved [date].{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ↑ Dalton, Stephen (2019). "Sew the Winter to My Skin review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ↑ "Theatrical mavericks take honours". IOL. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Music that transports you…". IOL. April 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  10. ↑ de Kock, Leon; Pieterse, Annel (2012). "A vast domain of death: decomposition and decay in Marlene van Niekerk's Die Kortstondige Raklewe van Anastasia W". South African Theatre Journal. 26 (1): 61–92. doi:10.1080/10137548.2012.754085.
  11. ↑ "Director on the ball with 'Balbesit'". IOL. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Poskantoor". Tertius Kapp. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Theatrical mavericks take honours". IOL. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "Music that transports you…". IOL. April 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "Smorgabord of Afrikaans theatre". Artlink. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Set for Maynardville Open-Air Theatre; Runs Thru 2/20". BroadwayWorld. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  17. ↑ "Rooiland makes its Cape Town debut at the Baxter". Artlink. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  18. ↑ Marshall, Rhode (7 October 2014). "Aardklop festival and the language of art". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "Poskantoor". Tertius Kapp. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  20. ↑ Parker, Alan (March 2015). "An Interview With Nicola Elliott on the making of Run! (2013)" (PDF). Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  21. ↑ "Composer Braam Du Toit records score for "The Endless River"". Milestone Studio. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "Weekly Film Music Roundup (April 9, 2021)". Film Music Reporter. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  23. ↑ Abele, Robert (8 April 2021). "Review: 'Moffie' adroitly depicts a gay man's life in the apartheid-era South African army". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  24. ↑ "No drama at the 2008 Seoul Drama Awards". Dramabeans. 14 October 2008.
  25. ↑ "Film Club". Hoërskool Swellendam. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  26. ↑ "Local theatre praised at Naledi Awards". Channel24. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  27. ↑ Mele, Courtnie (25 February 2014). "Fleur du Cap Announces Nominees for 2013 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  28. ↑ Fick, David (4 February 2015). "Prestigious 50th Annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Announces Nominees of the 2014 Season". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  29. ↑ "FESPACO 2019: Le palmarès complet". Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (in French). 3 March 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  30. ↑ "All the SAFTAs14 winners". Screen Africa. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
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