Mbira's Restless Dance: An Archive of Improvisation

Description

Growing out of the collaborative research of an American ethnomusicologist and Zimbabwean musician, Paul F. Berliner and Cosmas Magaya’s Mbira’s Restless Dance documents the repertory for a keyboard instrument known generally as mbira. At the heart of this work lies the analysis of the improvisatory processes that propel mbira music’s magnificent creativity. Mbira’s Restless Dance is written to be played. This two-volume, spiral-bound set features musical transcriptions of thirty-nine compositions and variations, annotated with the master player’s advice on technique and performance, his notes and observations, and commentary by Berliner. Enhanced with extensive website audiovisuals, Mbira’s Restless Dance is in effect a series of masterclasses with Magaya, suitable for experienced mbira players and those learning the fundamentals. Together with Berliner's The Art of Mbira, in which he provides an indispensable historical and cultural guide to mbira in a changing world, Mbira's Restless Dance breaks new ground in the depth and specificity of its exploration of an African musical tradition, and in the entwining of the authors’ collaborative voices. It is a testament to the powerful relationship between music and social life—and the rewards of lifelong musical study, performance, and friendship. Conents Volume I Introduction Guide to Mbira Notation 1. Bangiza (1) 2. Bangiza (2) 3. Bangiza (3) 4. Bangiza (4) 5. Bangiza (5) 6. Bayawabaya 7. Chakwi 8. Chaminuka ndiMambo 9. Chaminuka, We 10. Chandasarira 11. Chipembere 12. Chipindura 13. Dande 14. Dangurangu 15. Gorekore 16. Karigamombe 17. Kuzanga 18. Mahororo 19. Mandarindari 20. Mukatiende Volume II 21. Mutamba 22. Muzoriwa 23. Nhemamusasa 24. Nhemamusasa yekutanga 25. Nhemamusasa yepasi 26. Nhimutimu (1) 27. Nhimutimu (2) 28. Nyamamusango 29. Nyamaropa 30. Nyamaropa Chipembere 31. Nyamaropa yepasi 32. Nyuchi 33. Shumba 34. Shumba yaNgwasha 35. Taireva (1) 36. Taireva (2) 37. Taireva (3) 38. Taireva (4) 39. Tondobayana 40. A Comparative View of Artists’ Composition Treatments Bangiza (1) Bangiza (2) Bangiza (3) Bangiza (4) Bangiza (5) Chipindura Karigamombe Mahororo Mukatiende Muzoriwa Nhemamusasa Nhemamusasa yekutanga Nhemamusasa yepasi Nhimutimu (1) Nyamaropa Nyamaropa Chipembere Nyuchi Shumba Acknowledgments