Wamakaṡkaŋ is the Lakota word that refers to all living creatures who walk this earth, for the exception of the flying creatures (though they also walk on the earth at times). The music pulls from my Haŋbleċeya (vision quest) experience to share the story of four days and nights, with no food or water, praying for a vision.
There are five movements utilizing improvised animal sounds all created using the Bass flute's extended techniques. Flutist Mariana Gariazzo does a fabulous job emulating the natural sounds created by the animals and there are suggestions/fingerings for how to accomplish the extended techniques successfully.
Wamakaṡkaŋ: The Animal Kingdom
for Bass Flute & Fixed Tape
Movement 1: "Wiyoȟpeyatakiya etuŋwaŋ yo" 0:08
a) I stand facing the West 0:08
b) The spirits respond 0:54
Movement 2: "Waziyatakiya etuŋwaŋ yo" 1:18
a) I stand facing the North 1:18
b) The spirits respond 2:08
Movement 3: "Wiyohiŋyaŋpatakiya etuŋwaŋ yo 2:35
a) I stand facing the East 2:35
b) The spirits respond 3:19
Movement 4: "Itokaǧatakiya etuŋwaŋ yo" 3:51
a) I stand facing the South 3:51
b) The spirits respond 4:36
Movement 5: "Wakȟaŋ Tȟaŋka etuŋwaŋ yo" 5:45
a) I stand facing All of Creation 5:45
(The spirits respond throughout)
This piece was commissioned by Mariana Gariazzo (@marianagariazzo684) and is written for Solo Bass Flute and Fixed Tape.
The fixed tape can be found here for free: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2136/9437/files/A-36_-_Linthicum-Blackhorse_-_Wamakaskan_ELECTRONIC_TRACK.mp3?v=1666077724
To learn more about the composer or to buy scores, please visit: www.linthicumblackhorse.com/music