Kiri ‘a Tšoana

(Thunderstorm)

R39.00

ISMN
979-0-804001-78-5;979-0-804001-79-2
Catalogue No
JPM 040
Notation
Dual notation (staff & tonic solfa), Staff notation
Scoring
choir SATB
Edition
Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa Critical Edition
Category

This song, first published in 1939, is highly descriptive of a gathering storm in its portrayal of splattering rain, thunderclaps and flashes of lighting. Thunderstorms in Lesotho are very common in summer (November-January) and sound all the more spectacular in the small kingdom’s mountainous terrain. Mohapeloa dwells on that sound – the build up of  thunderclaps and the heavy downpours that follow them. ‘Kiri ‘a Tšoana’ reminds us of the thirstiness of a country where subsistence farmers depend for their livelihood on good annual summer rains. ‘Let it rain! Bring it on!’ is the message of the song.