‘Tombeau de Messiaen’ was performed across South Africa throughout August 2014 by ensemble cross.art. From Cape Town to Johannesburg via Potchefstroom, Durban and Stellenbosch, Jonathan Harvey’s piece formed part of workshops, masterclasses and concerts at universities in various towns and cities which had invited the group to offer their students “valuable insights for their own compositions, and… the chance to integrate these insights in their preparation of new works in workshops with ensemble cross.art members.”

The ensemble cross.art website describes the group’s ethos: “A central theme of their oeuvre and practice is cultural exchange between the home countries of the composers and the European, more specifically German cultural realm.”

Between 6th and 20th August 2014, the group travelled across South Africa to perform and encourage musicians throughout the country, inspiring budding composers with music by composers such as Jonathan.