Maya Dunietz & Friends: Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru
Multi-instrumentalist Maya Dunietz, with the London Sinfonietta’s string ensemble, dedicates an evening to the sublime music of the Ethiopian composer and nun.
Hear treasures from Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru’s unique song collection in Amharic, French and English, composed between 1940 and 1980, and arrangements for string ensemble and piano by Dunietz.
In 2006, Dunietz became familiar with the works of Gebru, and was so affected that she sought out the composer in a monastery in Jerusalem.
Two years later, the pair began to collaborate, leading to Dunietz seeking to make the composer’s works better known – which she continues to do following Gebru’s death in 2023.
Dunietz celebrated the composer’s work and life here at the Southbank Centre as part of our Sound Within Sound festival in July 2024.
Performers
London Sinfonietta string ensemble
Maya Dunietz singer, piano
Sofia Jernberg singer
Repertoire
Gebru: Let not my cry be in vain; If someone deserts you; Mamuye; Why are you sad, my sister?; Mother Ethiopia; Avinu Shebashamaim (Our Father); Quand la mer furieuse arr. Maya Dunietz for voice, viola & cello; Spring ode arr. Maya Dunietz for strings; Ballad of the spirits arr. Maya Dunietz for piano & strings; Evening breeze arr. Maya Dunietz for piano & strings; Lasciami cantare arr. Maya Dunietz for voice & strings
Need to know
Find out more about the music with our free programme.
View the programme
For your visit
This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
The Purcell Room is located in the Queen Elizabeth Hall, which is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
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The Purcell Room is an auditorium located within our Queen Elizabeth Hall.
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