Mandinka Medley

A medley of music weaving together two string traditions that date back centuries: the European Baroque, and the West African Mandinka.
Max Baillie, (violin) Director www.maxbaillie.com
Surahata Susso (West African Kora) www.surasusso.com
The Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra
Andre Marmot, djundjuns
Hans Sutton, djembe
West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge, February 2nd 2008.
February 2008

Summary of the whole Medley (of which short excerpts are shown here):
1. Ciaccona by Tarquinio Merula.
It begins with the original version but introduces polyrhythmic dialogue between the string parts based on Baroque lines, opening up for drums and Kora to join.

2. Djole-Brandenburg.
A Bach-inspired melodic transcription of the West African drumming rhythm Djole with Kora solo, including rhythmic breaks called by the calabash (gourd percussion) and a transition flowing directly into Bach's original piece.

3. Brandenburg Concerto III, by Bach, 1st movement.

4. Soli-Brandenburg
A Bach-inspired melodic transcription the West African rhythm Soli with Kora solo, imitating the call and response forms of West African drumming with melodic lines.

5. Bach Brandenburg Concerto III, 3rd movement.

6. Duet: Merula and Kaira
Two traditional pieces, one Baroque, one West African. The first is an improvisation based on the opening Ciaconna (just the introduction here in the excerpt) and the second is one of the oldest Mandinka pieces which dates back to the 14th century.

7. Canon by Pachelbel.
With an anticipated bass part and a cross-rhythmic middle section, this is a new rhythmic take on a well-known Baroque standard.

8. Divertimento in D by Mozart, 1st movement.
This is led to by a transition directly from the end of the Pachelbel, playing with suspensions and resolutions and then a climactic drum break to lead into the original piece.

9. Violin Concerto in C by Haydn, 2nd movement
A classical song, relating to the Kora with its pizzicato accompaniment.

10. Malia
A piece based on the poco adagio from Mahlers IV Symphony and on Kora ballads, with Kora and violin improvised dialogue.

11. Symphony IV by Mahler, an arranged excerpt from the poco adagio.
A classical-romantic mirror of the preceding piece.


12. Soro
A melodic transcription of the West African drumming rhythm Soro, with calls and breaks, melodic and drumming solos to finish.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Max
• Baillie
• Surahata
• Susso
• Cambridge
• University
• Chamber
• Orchestra
• violin
• kora
• Baroque
• Mandinka
• West
• Road
• Concert
• Hall

[throbule]

I'm sure this idea could work with a really great arranger, but this attempt at classical and African fusion looks, feels and sounds very shaky.

I'm sure the musicians are individually gifted, and the Kora player is extremely talented, but it all goes sadly astray in the end.

Shame, as I would have loved to hear it work.

[heat1724]

@WorldWatcher9 obvious troll is obvious.

[WorldWatcher9]

who's dum idea was this calssical music and west african music are beautiful on their own but simply dont fuse smoothly here

[StrongWaterPressure]

Nice one Max, keep up the great work!