In a music business that assigns every artist a category, Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou—soon to celebrate her 98th birthday—has operated beyond all labels
great reflection. thank you! our afroasiatic orthodox christian nun who plays the piano is a walker betwixt and between liminal spaces. her response of mentioning God's will is such a classic Amharic speaker's response. she knew what she wanted, and that aligns with Him.
Sorry for the very late comment - but thanks for the reminder, I'd heard some of her piano music years ago, and had forgotten all about it.
Not so sure about the rarity of music which "captures a blissful attitude of peaceful centering" though. To my ears a good deal of Indian classical (both Hindustani and Carnatic) do so quite effectively, although it sure comes out more clearly when heard in the original setting of a Hindu temple.
I don't know so much about these traditions but I've heard Turkish and Irani music that also seemed remarkably serene and blissful.
If anything, this reminds me of Art Tatum and Alice Coltrane having a baby. Did Tatum really sound, and act, like other jazz players of his day?
You say you're surprised that Guèbrou received a conventional training in Western music. I'm not so surprised, since that is exactly how this music sounds: like a non-Westerner being exposed to various kinds Western music. Being an outsider, she may not make a mental distinction between genres like we do. Her genious, of course, lies in the fact that she can make a homogenous style out of it.
At least, that's my impression from this one piece.
In a way that reminds of Hermeto's story. He always declined to be included in any genre, even though he was an integral part of several of them. Thanks for sharing this amazing story, Ted!
Thank you for this fabulous piece. I was unaware of her music, although I do listen to many of the Ethiopique recordings. A search on Apple Music results in 1 song. I could not agree more with your comments regarding the damage that the pigeon-holing of artists into genres does. Aside from "helping" organize the stacks in a record store and aiding in the data gathering for convenient algorithms , these genres keep many ignorant of the breadth of musical and artistic endeavors throughout the world.
great reflection. thank you! our afroasiatic orthodox christian nun who plays the piano is a walker betwixt and between liminal spaces. her response of mentioning God's will is such a classic Amharic speaker's response. she knew what she wanted, and that aligns with Him.
Sorry for the very late comment - but thanks for the reminder, I'd heard some of her piano music years ago, and had forgotten all about it.
Not so sure about the rarity of music which "captures a blissful attitude of peaceful centering" though. To my ears a good deal of Indian classical (both Hindustani and Carnatic) do so quite effectively, although it sure comes out more clearly when heard in the original setting of a Hindu temple.
I don't know so much about these traditions but I've heard Turkish and Irani music that also seemed remarkably serene and blissful.
In the same vein, and well worth a listen:
Girma Yifrashewa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbAV_4racSs&list=RDEMbfPeS7BMcSgf-j4gDuYpXg&index=2
enjoy
Amazing. Thank you
Thank you. Just subscribed & it was for articles like this.
Thank you for the wonderful article about this outstanding, talented, spiritual composer and Ethiopian nun.
Wonderful piece -- I've loved these recordings for years and always wanted to learn more about the artist. Thanks, Ted.
If anything, this reminds me of Art Tatum and Alice Coltrane having a baby. Did Tatum really sound, and act, like other jazz players of his day?
You say you're surprised that Guèbrou received a conventional training in Western music. I'm not so surprised, since that is exactly how this music sounds: like a non-Westerner being exposed to various kinds Western music. Being an outsider, she may not make a mental distinction between genres like we do. Her genious, of course, lies in the fact that she can make a homogenous style out of it.
At least, that's my impression from this one piece.
In a way that reminds of Hermeto's story. He always declined to be included in any genre, even though he was an integral part of several of them. Thanks for sharing this amazing story, Ted!
Well said. Guèbrou is unlike any other musician-composer, her arrangements are haunting yet healing.
Thank you for this fabulous piece. I was unaware of her music, although I do listen to many of the Ethiopique recordings. A search on Apple Music results in 1 song. I could not agree more with your comments regarding the damage that the pigeon-holing of artists into genres does. Aside from "helping" organize the stacks in a record store and aiding in the data gathering for convenient algorithms , these genres keep many ignorant of the breadth of musical and artistic endeavors throughout the world.