B(l)(e)(e)(n)dings is the result of three years of intensive exploration and collaboration in several regions of Southern Africa (Mozambique, Swaziland, Limpopo, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and the East Coast). Luca Forcucci, Cara Stacey, Mpho Molikeng collaborated on the development of a composition involving improvisation and live composition techniques, live electronics and indigenous instruments from Southern Africa (e.g. Kudu Horn, Umrhubhe, Xitende). The three have together expertise in ethnomusicology, contemporary electroacoustic composition and virtuosic skills related to our own instruments. During the preparation of the project, in May, Luca had the opportunity to interview the American composer Phill Niblock, known among other to have produced the iconic Arthur Russell’s album World Of Echo. He generously provided 16mm footage of rural manual labour shot in the 70’s in South Africa and Lesotho and transferred to digital files. The films are diffused during the concerts.
Released 07.03.2019
lucaforcucci.com 