By the time Shalati Joseph Khosa (SJ) made his transition to eternity at age 76, his compositions were approaching a thousand. The musical themes were as varied as his life experiences. A life charactised by keen observation, steeped in culture dynamically, pregnant with imagination, bursting with muscial creativity and innovation. In his own words, "There are various ways in which the motivation to compose is evoked, including: sensory stimuli, emotional situations, intellectual factors, positive or negative feelings, necessity or need, commissions..."

SJ Khosa comments on what inspires a composition as follows: "There is a number of factors that can inspire a musically talented person to compose, namely, listening to different types of good music; the ability to "hear" an inner melody, or a short, harmonised piece of a tune that some authors on composition call "a theme" or "a musical idea".

According to King Parker in his book entitled Compose Music, "At some time or other every composer experiences flashes of inspiration." That is exactly what happens to me. Quite often I "hear" a melody, with or without harmony. These fragments of melody may come to me consciously or unconsciously. They may be inspired by any rhythmic sound, a well rehearsed choral or instrumental performance, an imaginary or real beautiful picture, river, mountain, occasion, incident etc. A pleasant or unpleasant experience may also inspire a composition. In the case of a negative experience, it behoves me to show how bad can be turned into good, in other words, how a nasty experience can teach us a good lesson! This, to me, seem important, if only to make audiences perceive the work in question worthwhile.

The above-menionted author (King Parker) cites composers who recommend making use of the piano as an aid to inspiration. I am myself not a pianist and have, as such, never used the piano, not even to test the chords, melodic or harmonic progression. Fortunately for me (and I believe for other composers as well), once I am done with the melody, the harmony is always almost built-in. I can "hear" the accompanying parts (of the song) inwardly. Of course I have to sing the melody over and over again, listening critically to my chords, and making the necessary alternations, if any."

In this CD and DVD the renown SABC Choir under the baton of Dr Thulasizwe Nkabinde - doyen of choral music condutors, arranger and adjudicator - give a live performance of a selection of SJ Khosa's songs; a commendable tribute to the composer.

Dr Reuel J Khoza, Dr S.J. Khosa's Brother-by-Choice.