Sinfonia Cymru joins celebrated Ivorian drummer and multi-instrumentalist Sidiki Dembélé and members of his ensemble Percussion d’Abobo for Yiriba, a concert bringing West African music into conversation with Western classical and Welsh folk traditions.
The title Yiriba means “mighty tree”, referring to the wood used to create many of the instruments performed by Sidiki and his fellow musicians.
The concert builds on previous collaborations between Sinfonia Cymru and Sidiki Dembélé, developing new music through the meeting of different instruments, musical practices and cultural traditions.
Audiences can expect a wide range of sounds and textures, combining strings and orchestral playing with West African percussion, rhythm and melody.
Rather than treating the musical traditions as separate, Yiriba explores what becomes possible when musicians listen, respond and create together.
The programme moves between moments of quiet reflection and energetic rhythms designed to bring audiences to their feet.
Sidiki Dembélé performs on djembe and a range of other instruments, while musicians from Percussion d’Abobo bring additional West African instrumentation to the performance.
They are joined by the young professional musicians of Sinfonia Cymru, an organisation known for combining classical music with folk, jazz and international influences.
Suitable for audiences of all ages, Yiriba offers an accessible and joyful introduction to cross-cultural musical collaboration.
Although taking place after Black History Month, the concert is a valuable addition to the year-round Wales listings, celebrating African musicianship while creating connections between West African, Welsh and European musical traditions.
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