Once a year on the anniversary of her death, I normally gush a bit on Facebook about Melanie Horne. Melanie was one of the greatest influences on my artistic life. Gone way too soon, she died tragically on 14 Feb 1998, her body suddenly rejecting the heart she received in a successful heart transplant a few months before. As my piano lecturer during my undergraduate studies in Stellenbosch, she had a profound effect on my development as a pianist and young musician. Her death caused upheaval for many students who simply adored her. I ended up changing universities as I simply could not bear staying where I was. More than anything, Melanie was an exceptional artist, one of the most prolific South African performers of her generation.
She was respected by many as a fastidious worker and exciting performer. Yet, her performances are not well-documented and there are no recordings commercially available. I went on a mission to try retrieve some recordings from the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) and after many failed attempts, I finally had some success. They sent me a few chamber and solo recordings which Melanie had made for their radio broadcasts over the years. But one of the most valuable recordings is the Piano Concerto by Roelof Temmingh, which she premiered on 28 April 1996 at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. I will post more recordings as I make progress, but here, as a start, is the Temmingh Concerto. Also read a review of the performance here.
Piano Concerto by Roelof Temmingh (1946 – 2012), premiere performance
* Pianist: Melanie Horne (1955 – 1998)
* National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa, conducted by David Tidboald
* Performed live at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg on 28/04/1996
* Sound: Frikkie Potgieter
* Producer: Daphne Kramers
* Obtained with the kind permission of the SABC Radio Archives
Dear David Bruyer, I am trying to find out if the Melanie Horne you speak of was a fellow student of mine at Michaelis. She was doing two majors: Fine Art and Music and dropped out of the art course as it became obvious that she (the Melanie Horne I knew) couldn’t cope with doing both at the same time. She was the same age as the Melanie Horne you speak of. My cousin (William Burton, graduate at the Juilliard) spoke of her and I thought she was the same person. She looks very much sadder than I remember her and her hair is very different in the photograph on this site. The Melanie Horne I knew was a piano student at the Music School at UCT. She was also an excellent student of Fine Art. I would be very grateful if you could help me. With thanks, Frances
Hi Frances. Yes, Melanie studied at UCT at the South African College of Music (with Lamar Crowson) and later also overseas at the Royal College of Music in London. She never mentioned fine art studies to me so I’m not sure, but it would be a very strange coincidence if there were two people with the same name, both being pianists! Very interesting!
Hi David, i compliment you on your effort to focus attention on the wealh of talented musicians and composers who have brought joy and made such meaningful contributions to music and to South Africans.
Furthering the development of South African music was part of my porfolio for the many, many years that I was a Classical Music Producer at the SABC in Johannesburg.. The absolutely wonderful career that was afforded me, and the privileged opportunities in music making that I enjoyed, knew no bounds. Melanie Horne’s performance of the R Temming Concerto at the Linder was but one of those.
Wishing you every success in your effort to retrieve and share precious performances from the past. There are indeed great treasures to be uncovered!
Kind wishes
Daphne Kramers
I attended by son’s graduation from a London music college yesterday and recollected sitting next to Melanie at our graduation from the Royal College of Music. I remember us having a bit of a laugh during the long drawn-out proceedings. I also remember an earlier concert with her playing the Gershwin Piano Concerto. I remember her fondly.
I attended by son’s graduation from a London music college yesterday and recollected sitting next to Melanie at our graduation from the Royal College of Music. I remember us having a bit of a laugh during the long drawn-out proceedings. I also remember an earlier concert with her playing the Gershwin Piano Concerto. I remember her fondly.
Dear Frances Burton,
I noticed you wrote in 2019, and I discovered your post only today. I was a classmate of Melanie’s at the SACM 1973-1976. Yes, she is most likely the same person. I remember sitting next to her in class and she would often draw in her note book. They were pretty impressive. I assume the times she dashed into class (she was always in a hurry) might well have been times she could have been at the Michaelis campus. She only practiced, had lessons, and attended lectures (occasionally she would be in the library working), but otherwise she was not one to “hang around” much. Might the early double major account for this? Most likely. You commented about her photo is correct. For most of her UCT days, she had shoulder-length auburn hair. Only after graduation did she cut her hair short. BTW, I knew William Burton (and his friend Janine de Villiers). Convey regards to him from me. Johann Buis (UCT 1976)
Hi David,
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this article. I wish I had found it sooner.
She was probably rushing so to avoid conversation. Only later in her performing career did brilliance give her the confidence and presence to engage despite her severe stutter.
She never stuttered a single word to me.
I miss my mother every single day with the same agony as that morning I found her.
To read about her and know she is remembered helps me remember.
Oceans of gratitude
Dear Eduard
There is a special place for your mother in my heart. The last time I heard her play the piano was today 29 years ago when she played the wedding march on my wedding day and her birthday. She still said “this was not written for the piano but I will make it big”.
Regards
Lynette Rademeyer-Bosman (Marile’s Mom)