African Doves (Homage to Olivier Messiaen) (2018)
for solo piano
Afrikosmos Volume 3: No 13
Dedicated to John White and Jiggs Coldiron
Composed 12-20 August; 12 December 2018, Saint-Léger-Magnazeix
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Score BDE 1283 (Volume 3 Complete)
Duration: 1'40"
Recording
Recorded by Antony Gray on 'Michael Blake: Afrikosmos’ (Divine Art DA 21374)
Première
First performance: 21 August 2021; Le Genesteix Concerts, Azat-le-Riz, France;
Antony Gray piano
Further performance: 22 September 2022; Chisholm Recital Room, Cape Town; Antony Gray piano
(South African première); 21 June 2023; Goldsmiths College London; Antony Gray piano
(UK première)
Programme note
African Doves calling are one of the most distinctive sounds of Africa, and this piece uses three different calls, transcribed, harmonised and elaborated – in the spirit of the great French composer Olivier Messiaen, who listened to the birds, transcribed their songs and incorporated them into many of his greatest compositions for piano and orchestra.
for solo piano
Afrikosmos Volume 3: No 13
Dedicated to John White and Jiggs Coldiron
Composed 12-20 August; 12 December 2018, Saint-Léger-Magnazeix
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Score BDE 1283 (Volume 3 Complete)
Duration: 1'40"
Recording
Recorded by Antony Gray on 'Michael Blake: Afrikosmos’ (Divine Art DA 21374)
Première
First performance: 21 August 2021; Le Genesteix Concerts, Azat-le-Riz, France;
Antony Gray piano
Further performance: 22 September 2022; Chisholm Recital Room, Cape Town; Antony Gray piano
(South African première); 21 June 2023; Goldsmiths College London; Antony Gray piano
(UK première)
Programme note
African Doves calling are one of the most distinctive sounds of Africa, and this piece uses three different calls, transcribed, harmonised and elaborated – in the spirit of the great French composer Olivier Messiaen, who listened to the birds, transcribed their songs and incorporated them into many of his greatest compositions for piano and orchestra.
