Dear all,
This piece was composed and recorded on the valiha and my vocal today. The beautiful valiha belong to two dear friends of mine in Nashville. They have generously let me play their valiha for me to explore more sonic vocabulary. This is the 4th night song I’ve composed on this instrument.
The valiha is a tube zither from Madagascar made from a species of local bamboo; it is considered the "national instrument" of Madagascar. One of the most celebrated valiha players of the twentieth century is Rakotozafy (born 1938). The majority of Rakotozafy's few recorded performances were made live at the central studio of Malagasy Radio. Sylvestre Randafison is another celebrated valiha artist considered a cultural icon in Madagascar.
The instrument has been held in high regard among the Malagasy particularly in the Merina rule over the island that having long fingernails ideal for plucking its strings were marks "distinguishing the aristocracy from the laborers". Aside from playing for fun, the valiha is also used for ritual music to summon spirits. In today’s piece, I didn’t intend to add my vocal when I began creating. However, I felt that the strings needed a companion besides the plucking. It felt right to me at the end.
Wu Fei 吴非
Wufeimusic.com | hellogoldmountain.com
