Michael Mosoeu Moerane Scholarly Edition

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Ruri! was probably composed in the 1940s in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, because Moerane's son Mofelehetsi recalls that his father 'had a lot of trouble with it', and Mofelehetsi was a teenager still living at home during those years. It is one of Moerane's most mature and best-loved works, describing in a slow-moving arc of harmonies and soaring melodic lines the beauty of nature as a creation of God. Ruri has frequently been sung at festivals and competitions in South Africa, and the first recording below is one of the better ones available, made during the Grahamstown Festival in 2000 (and used with permission). There are also several versions on Youtube, including one by the Mompati Arts Chorus, recorded live at a choral competition in South Africa, that has a piano accompaniment. The pianist mostly plays the vocal lines but sometimes embellishes them, providing an interesting example of how Moerane's works can be interpreted. A free mp3 of the spoken Sesotho lyrics is available when the score is purchased.

Duration: 3'36"