Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou

Apr 12, 2023

Good morning.

Today we’re listening to and remembering Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, an Ethiopian pianist and composer. Sister Guèbrou, whom we’ve featured twice before, passed away on March 25 in Jerusalem at age 99.

Born in Addis Ababa in 1923, she studied violin and piano abroad and then returned to Ethiopia, where she became ordained as a nun. From the ‘60s through the ‘90s, she composed and recorded tender, sui generis solo piano pieces. In 2006, 16 of these pieces were collected on Ethiopiques, Vol. 21, bringing her works to a wider audience. Sister Guèbrou left us a foundation dedicated to musical education for underserved communities.

Éthiopiques, Vol. 21 - Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou (70m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Have a really nice Wednesday.

“I asked God that my name be written on Heaven not on Earth” Emahoy said.

Obituaries: New York Times, New Yorker, The Guardian

5 Comments

Sam

May 2Liked by Flow State

This is beautiful, thank you.

Expand full comment

Bowen Dwelle

Writes An Ordinary Disaster

Apr 13Liked by Flow State

I LOVE the entire Éthiopiques series, but hadn't heard this one. One of my favorite memories is driving back roads in southern Brazil listening and singing along to one of those albums. Thanks!

3 more comments…