Chimurenga (2000) - 4'
for Guitar Quartet
Premièred by the Dublin Guitar Quartet, Dundee International Guitar Festival, July 2003.
Excerpt below from studio recording by The Dublin Guitar Quartet from album due for release in 2012.
Chimurenga (Excerpt) by daveflynn
Programme Note
_'Chimurenga' (meaning 'struggle') is a form of Zimbabwean pop music
developed by Thomas Mapfumo in the late 1970's. Mapfumo and his music
were an important factor in securing the independence of Zimbabwe in
1980. Mapfumo has been imprisoned for his songs by both the white
government of Ian Smith before the revolution and the subsequent
dictatorship of Robert Mugabe. Mapfumo was an avid supporter of Mugabe
during the revolution but as Mugabe grew corrupt with power Mapfumo
wrote songs criticising him for which he was censored, imprisoned and
now in exile in America. He is a musical and cultural icon in Africa,
often compared to Bob Marley. His music is based on the traditional
music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe which is characterised by the
mbira (often wrongly referred to as a thumb-piano) and hosho's
(percussive shakers). Initially he transferred these melodies and
rhythms to a band of electric guitars, drums and brass but over the
years he has added traditional instruments to this line-up. Thomas
Mapfumo's music has had a great influence on me and this piece is a
homage to him and tries to recreate the Chimurenga sound in the form of a
Guitar Quartet. At various points the guitarists must mute the strings
in imitation of Chimurenga guitar style which itself is in imitation of
the mbira sound. Towards the end of the piece three of the four
guitarists create percussive sounds by tapping the guitars body,
strumming muted string and hand claps. The piece may be played using any
type of guitars, nylon string, steel string or electric.
Chimurenga was premiered by the Dublin Guitar Quartet at the Dundee Guitar Festival in 2003 when I was a member of the group. The Dublin Guitar Quartet continue to perform the piece and have recorded it for future release.
Chimurenga was premiered by the Dublin Guitar Quartet at the Dundee Guitar Festival in 2003 when I was a member of the group. The Dublin Guitar Quartet continue to perform the piece and have recorded it for future release.
