Braam du Toit

Braam du Toit
Born (1981-02-25) 25 February 1981
Alma materUniversity of Cape Town
Years active2007–present
Websitebraamdutoit.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).

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]

Career

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) directed by Oliver Hermanus received particular international critical acclaim, with reviewers across major publications including The Guardian,[5] Los Angeles Times,[6] 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."[7]

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."[8]

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.[9]

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.[10] The production generated sharply divided critical reactions. Deborah Steinmair in Beeld praised it as "a natural wonder," while Jan-Jan Joubert defended its value as "cultural protest," arguing that confronting "the gruesome barbarity of violence against children" required the production's unflinching approach.[11] However, the production's confrontational nature—which led to audience members walking out at some performances—also drew criticism for what some viewed as its excessive provocation. This polarized reception prompted scholarly analysis, with Leon de Kock and Annel Pieterse examining the work's significance as protest theatre in post-apartheid South Africa in a major article in the South African Theatre Journal.

Balbesit (2013), directed by Jaco Bouwer, featured Du Toit's music described by reviewers as "haunting and powerful."[12] 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.[13] Du Toit won the Fiëstas Award for Best Achievement in Classical Music for the work, with critics describing it as "extraordinary music."[9]

Du Toit also composed music for the Trilogy (Lot/Betésda/Babbel, 2013) with director Nicola Hanekom.[10]

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."[14]

Du Toit's compositional practice spans film, theatre, and concert music. His concert works have been described as "slow, lush, and atmospheric," with dramatic intensity emerging through dynamic changes rather than aggressive musical gestures.[15] Reviewers have noted his use of music to heighten psychological states, with the Los Angeles Times describing his approach as mixing different musical styles that "atmospherically complement the emotional timeline,"[16] while the Chicago Tribune noted his technique of "alternating between enhancing and juxtaposing the tension on screen."[17]

Works

Theatre and opera

  • HUIS (2002)
  • Koggelmanderman (2003) by Pieter Fourie, directed by Marthinus Basson
  • 'n Ander Tongval (2008)
  • Smag (2008)
  • Saad (2008)
  • Verkeer (2008)[18]
  • Trilogy: Lot / Betésda / Babbel (2009–2011)
  • Antony and Cleopatra (2010)[19]
  • Die kortstondige raklewe van Anastasia W (2010) by Marlene van Niekerk, directed by Marthinus Basson
  • London Road (2010)
  • Oscar and the Lady in Pink (2012)
  • Balbesit (2013)
  • Rooiland (2013)[20]
  • Poskantoor (2014)[21][22]
  • Huppelkind (2020) directed by Marthinus Basson

Dance

Filmography

Year Title Director Notes
2007 Floodline (Afrikaans: Vloedlyn) Braam du Toit Short film
Meisie Darrell Roodt
2008 Ella Blue Miniseries
2009 Tornado and the Kalahari Horse Whisperer Regardt van den Bergh
2011 Odd Number Marius van Straaten Documentary
2012 Taste of Rain Richard Pakleppa
2013 Vashou-ding Lika Berning Short film
2013 Toevlug Christiaan Olwagen Short film
2014 Balbesit: 'n Studie in Stemme Jaco Bouwer
2014 Trippie Nicola Hanekom Short film
2014 Run Jose Dave Meinert Short film
2015 Bettie Lika Berning, Jana Cilliers, and Catherine Meyburgh Documentary
2015 Vryslag Marcel van Heerden Short film
2015 The Endless River Oliver Hermanus [24]
2016–2021 Die Boekklub Series
2016 Die Byl Series
2016 Vlees van my vlees Matthys Boshoff Short film
2018 Fine Print (Afrikaans: Fynskrif) Louis Pretorius 13 episodes
2018 Scenes from a Dry City Simon Wood and François Verster Documentary
2018 Sew the Winter to My Skin Jahmil X.T. Qubeka
2019 Moffie Oliver Hermanus [25][26]
2019–2022 Die Byl Liezl Spies and Leon Kruger Season 2-3, original theme music
2020 Fine Print (Afrikaans: Fynskrif) Louis Pretorius Music
2022 Die Byl Liezl Spies and Leon Kruger Season 4
2023 Indlela Yokuphila Dylan McGarry and Marc Moynihan Animation, Empatheatre production
2023 Winterslaap Leandros Braounos and Daniel Howells Short film
2023 Reflections in a broken mirror Composer: Archival Music
2024–2025 Die Byl Original 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

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2008 Seoul International Drama Awards Best Music Director Ella Blue Won [a][27]
2009 Monaco International Film Festival Best Original Music Soundtrack – Feature Film Tornado and the Kalahari Horse Whisperer Won [28]
2010 South African Film and Television Awards Best Achievement in Original Score – Feature Film Nominated
2012 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Best Sound Design or Original Score The Short Shelf Life of Anastasia W Nominated [b]
2013 Naledi Theatre Awards Best Sound Trilogy: Lot / Betésda / Babbel Won [29]
2014 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Best Sound Design or Original Score Rooiland Nominated [30]
2015 Balbesit Nominated [31]
Fiëstas Awards Best Achievement in Classical Music Poskantoor Won [c]
Best New Production Nominated [d]
2019 FESPACO Best Music Sew the Winter to My Skin Won [32]
2019 South African Film and Television Awards Best Achievement in Original Score – Television Drama Fynskrif Won [33]

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. ^ a b 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. ^ Brooks, Xan (8 April 2021). "Moffie review – absorbing drama of a gay conscript in apartheid South Africa". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  6. ^ 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 28 October 2025.
  7. ^ Romney, Jonathan (February 2020). "Moffie review". Screen Daily. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  8. ^ Dalton, Stephen (2019). "Sew the Winter to My Skin review". The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. ^ a b "Theatrical mavericks take honours". IOL. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Music that transports you…". IOL. April 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Director on the ball with 'Balbesit'". IOL. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  13. ^ "Poskantoor". Tertius Kapp. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Braam Du Toit". Berlinale Talents. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  15. ^ Maccaferri, Michael (11 May 2008). "Profiling Braam du Toit". Sequenza21. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  16. ^ 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 29 October 2025.
  17. ^ Walsh, Katie. "Moffie review". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Smorgabord of Afrikaans theatre". Artlink. 31 July 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  19. ^ "ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Set for Maynardville Open-Air Theatre; Runs Thru 2/20". BroadwayWorld. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Rooiland makes its Cape Town debut at the Baxter". Artlink. 11 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  21. ^ Marshall, Rhode (7 October 2014). "Aardklop festival and the language of art". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Poskantoor". Tertius Kapp. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  23. ^ Parker, Alan (March 2015). "An Interview With Nicola Elliott on the making of Run! (2013)" (PDF). Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Composer Braam Du Toit records score for "The Endless River"". Milestone Studio. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  25. ^ "Weekly Film Music Roundup (April 9, 2021)". Film Music Reporter. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "No drama at the 2008 Seoul Drama Awards". Dramabeans. 14 October 2008.
  28. ^ "Film Club". Hoërskool Swellendam. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  29. ^ "Local theatre praised at Naledi Awards". Channel24. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  30. ^ Mele, Courtnie (25 February 2014). "Fleur du Cap Announces Nominees for 2013 Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  31. ^ Fick, David (4 February 2015). "Prestigious 50th Annual Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards Announces Nominees of the 2014 Season". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  32. ^ "FESPACO 2019: Le palmarès complet". Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (in French). 3 March 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  33. ^ "All the SAFTAs14 winners". Screen Africa. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
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