Mamadou Diabate
The lecture will present the history, traditional culture and characteristic instruments of West Africa from the heyday of the Mande Empire in the 13th century, including the so-called Jeli culture and musical dynasties. Images, video clips and a discussion with guest artist Mamadou Diabate, a balaphone player from Burkina Faso, will also help to introduce this musical tradition and one of its most important instruments, the balaphone.
Schedule
Mamadou Diabate is a master of the balaphone, a distinctive African wood percussion instrument, one of the xylophone type instruments. Born in Burkina Faso, he has lived in Vienna, Austria for many years. He comes from a family of composers and storytellers of the traditional 'Jeli\\\\\\\\\\\\' of the Sambla people. His professional musical training started at the age of 5. His virtuosity is outstanding - some say his playing is like having more than two hands. He has released 13 CDs since 2001. His 2002 album Keneya was the world premiere of traditional Balafon music of the Sambla people, which is essentially a musical translation of the Sambla language. Mamadou Diabate's extraordinary creativity is a never-ending stream of musical creations that keep alive the culture and musical traditions of his people.
House of Music Hungary
A music education centre and concert venue in the heart of the City Park, behind the airy futuristic glass facade of Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.
