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Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru

Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru is an esteemed Ethiopian composer and pianist, whose work spans across classical and Ethiopian music, reflecting a unique blend of Western classical training and traditional Ethiopian melodies. Born in Addis Ababa on December 12, 1923, into a prominent family, Emahoy Tsege began her musical journey when she was sent to Switzerland at the age of six to study violin, where she was introduced to the piano, which would become her life's passion. Her classical training was cut short by the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, and she was compelled to return home, enduring hardships that would go on to shape her poignant compositions.

Despite the challenges she faced, including a period as a prisoner of war during the Italian occupation, Emahoy Tsege's love for music never waned. After the war, she continued her studies in Cairo and then in London at the Royal Academy of Music before ultimately embracing monastic life in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It is within the secluded confines of monastic life that she fully developed her distinctive style, which is characterized by melancholic and deeply emotional melodies, often inspired by the religious contemplations and the landscapes of her homeland. Her contemplative pieces, such as "Clouds Moving on the Sky" and multiple renditions of "Jerusalem", resonate with serene spirituality and introspection. The album "Quand La Mer Furieuse" showcases her ability to evoke vivid emotional landscapes, while "Spielt Eigen Kompositionen" presents her playing her own compositions, offering listeners an authentic experience of her musical essence. Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru's work is not only a testament to the resilience and beauty of the human spirit but also serves as a cultural bridge between Ethiopia and the wider world of classical music.

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