Linong tsa lesiba (2015)
for solo piano
Afrikosmos Volume 5: No 2
Dedicated to Pierre-Henri and Wilmien Wicomb
Composed 10-14 July 2015, Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Score BDE 1285 (Volume 5 Complete)
Duration: 1'05"
Recording
Recorded by Antony Gray on 'Michael Blake: Afrikosmos’ (Divine Art DA 21374)
Première
First performance: 21 August 2021; Le Genesteix Concerts, Azat-le-Ris, France; Antony Gray piano
Further performance: 22 September 2022; Chisholm Recital Room, Cape Town (South African première); Antony Gray piano; 21 June 2023; Goldsmiths College London; Antony Gray piano (UK première)
Programme note
Linong tsa lesiba, meaning Song of the Birds, paraphrases music for the lesiba – the national instrument of Lesotho, which produces bird-like sounds. It is a one-string mouth-resonated bow, the vibrations created by a flattened quill. The scale produced is limited to a fundamental and three overtones. This piece is a study for left hand alone, with some quite tricky rhythms.
for solo piano
Afrikosmos Volume 5: No 2
Dedicated to Pierre-Henri and Wilmien Wicomb
Composed 10-14 July 2015, Villa Serbelloni, Bellagio
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Score BDE 1285 (Volume 5 Complete)
Duration: 1'05"
Recording
Recorded by Antony Gray on 'Michael Blake: Afrikosmos’ (Divine Art DA 21374)
Première
First performance: 21 August 2021; Le Genesteix Concerts, Azat-le-Ris, France; Antony Gray piano
Further performance: 22 September 2022; Chisholm Recital Room, Cape Town (South African première); Antony Gray piano; 21 June 2023; Goldsmiths College London; Antony Gray piano (UK première)
Programme note
Linong tsa lesiba, meaning Song of the Birds, paraphrases music for the lesiba – the national instrument of Lesotho, which produces bird-like sounds. It is a one-string mouth-resonated bow, the vibrations created by a flattened quill. The scale produced is limited to a fundamental and three overtones. This piece is a study for left hand alone, with some quite tricky rhythms.
