IMPERFECT HARMONY, a memoir

274pp., b/w & colour illus., paperback, Xarra Books, Midrand, 2025

ISBN: 9780639866604

In his memoir cellist, music conductor and radio presenter Kutlwano Masote discusses his successful musical career as well as fatherhood, marriage, alcohol addiction and friendship.

Kutlwano Masote was born into a musical family in Soweto and started playing the cello at the age of eleven, encouraged  by his parents and grandparents. After studying at the University of the Witwatersrand, he was awarded a scholarship by Yehudi Menuhin to study cello and chamber music at the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland. On his return to South Africa in 1998, he joined the National Symphony Orchestra.

Masote made his conducting debut in 2006 in a concert of the music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Todd Matshikiza, accompanied by a full orchestra, and went on to explore musical dialogues between different music traditions. He has had a a 25-year broadcast career is radio both at Classic FM and SAfm, where he currently host Weekend Sundowner Classics.

As an arts administrator, Masote has served on the boards of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Johannesburg Music Initiative, and the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra. He has also served as chairman of the SAMRO Foundation and the Arts and Culture Trust. Together with his wife, he runs Web Maestro, providing customised entertainment solutions to a broad client base. He lives in Johannesburg.