Herbert Chappell's highly acclaimed original BBC Film is the story of a remarkable journey made by the composer and explorer David Fanshawe which inspired his celebrated work African Sanctus. The film retraces his musical steps up the river Nile to the source of the Nile`s music. Featuring many of the original musicians he first recorded in 1969, Fanshawe explains the ethos behind his work and the process of composition. On a quest to find his African mentor, The Hippo Man, he ventures forth. The original film African Sanctus was the BBC nomination for the 1976 rix Italia Prize, nominated for the greatest creative contribution to television. The Updated Film, (Director Herbert Chappell 1995), projects stirring and poignant images of Africa, This film combines authentic footage spanning 20 years, with Fanshawe`s brilliant and innovative score. We see glimpses of the performance with The Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Choristers of St Georges Cathedral, solo Wilhelmenia Fernandez, conducted by Neville Creed. The film also introduces Fanshawe`s new work Dona Nobis Pacem - A Hymn for World Peace. African Sanctus is a visionary work which expresses unity between diverse peoples their faiths and their music. African Sanctus is testimony to the rich heritage of world music and has became a landmark in our musical lives. |
