DOUBLE CONCERT: EXTREME RECORDINGS
Second part

VOIX DE L'ARC XHOSA

A living national treasure, Madosini is one of the last representatives of the musical tradition of the Xhosa – the indigenous people of the rainbow nation. A reputed singer and composer, she stands out with her mastery of several instruments including the uhadi (vielle or fiddle), le isitolotolo (mouth harp) et le umrhumbe (mouth bow). This instrument recalls a specific mode of singing, called period doubling, which uses a very deep guttural register. We find this technique in Sardinian and Mongolian singers but, in the Xhosa tradition, it is practiced by women, which makes it all the more astonishing.

The present concert takes us to the heart of the Xhosa tradition through an array of songs and instrumental solos. Madosini has chosen to perform with her partner of choice, Derek Gripper, the South African musician known for his creative genius and his transposing of kora pieces for classical guitar. Throat singing, contrasts of timbres and registers all interweave to produce original sounds.

Madosini Manqina : voix, arc umrhumbe, uhadi (vielle), isitolotolo (mouth harp)
Derek Gripper : guitar
Pedro Espi-Sanchis : Ixilongo (harmonic flûte)

https://www.derekgripper.com/