YWAK OCHOLA

About:

Project title: Songs of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate.

Commissioned Work title: Ywak Ochola

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In 2021 Rapasa was commissioned to compose one piece for Chineke! foundation for their Christian Aid action for climate, called Songs of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate, this is ywak an elegy piece to Ochola. He performed it alongside the Chineke! Orchestra in three venues starting with St Paul's Cathedral in London.

More about the project can be found on www.chineke.org

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Process

In the early stages the composition is based on improvised ostinatos as a starting point and further developed in a structured and defined middle section with vocals sitting in a little forward. The climax borrows folk texture that is sustained throughout the nyatiti plucking, outro swelling into the ending. The idea is create a piece that has also room for classical orchestra or an ensemble to expand the vocabulary of sections. It is currently one of the works in a project Rapasa is developing with Clementine music in Germany with funk instrumental version and fusion of different sounds. 

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Thu Tinda!!!

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Photo and video by Chineke! Foundation.