COMPOSERS: Venancio Mbande
LABELS: Naxos World
WORKS: Timbila Ta Yenancio
PERFORMER: Venancio Mbande Orchestra
CATALOGUE NO: 76016-2
Developing tradition is the key to VENANCIO MBANDE'S large timbila ensemble. These xylophone-like instruments from Mozambique with their soft, ringing timbre were recorded in a full open-air performance complete with dance, plus choruses commenting on topical or timeless issues: bad guys, land mines.
The suite of eight varied items is Mbandes own. He recomposes it every few years, and the current version features complex solos and improvisations based on circling melodic phrases in a wide assortment of rhythms. It's an unusual issue for a commercial company, helped along by Finnish government funding for the production team but making no concessions to global pressures.