Heaven's Bow (2015 rev. 2016; 2019)
for solo piano
Afrikosmos Volume 6: No 2
Dedicated to Michael Finnissy, for his 70th birthday
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Score BDE 1286 (Volume 6 Complete)
Duration: 3'30"
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
Heaven’s Bow is a reinterpretation of a song from the uhadi bow repertoire of legendary Xhosa musician Nofinishi Dywili. The complexity of her rhythmic invention exceeded that of any other bow players in South African music, before or since, and in this piece that rhythmic complexity has been synthesised with contemporary Western rhythmic techniques and phrasing. The punning title is a charming mis-translation of ‘Arc-en-siel’, which I came across many years ago above the entrance of a bar in Hammamet, Tunisia.
for solo piano
Afrikosmos Volume 6: No 2
Dedicated to Michael Finnissy, for his 70th birthday
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Score BDE 1286 (Volume 6 Complete)
Duration: 3'30"
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
Heaven’s Bow is a reinterpretation of a song from the uhadi bow repertoire of legendary Xhosa musician Nofinishi Dywili. The complexity of her rhythmic invention exceeded that of any other bow players in South African music, before or since, and in this piece that rhythmic complexity has been synthesised with contemporary Western rhythmic techniques and phrasing. The punning title is a charming mis-translation of ‘Arc-en-siel’, which I came across many years ago above the entrance of a bar in Hammamet, Tunisia.
