# Afrikosmos

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***Afrikosmos*** is a cycle of 75 progressive piano miniatures by South African composer [Michael Blake](/source/Michael_Blake_(composer)). Spanning approximately three hours, the work was conceived as an African counterpart to [Béla Bartók](/source/B%C3%A9la_Bart%C3%B3k)'s six‑volume *[Mikrokosmos](/source/Mikrokosmos_(Bart%C3%B3k))* and integrates traditional sub‑Saharan musical elements with Western classical techniques and homages to a wide range of composers.[1][2]

## Composition history

Blake first approached the idea in 2003 with the miniature "iKos'tina", commissioned for the [ABRSM](/source/ABRSM) Spectrum series. A [Rockefeller Foundation](/source/Rockefeller_Foundation) residency at the Bellagio Writers Centre in June 2015 provided the initial impetus for the full cycle, which he completed in June 2020 and for which he gratefully acknowledged the Foundation's support.[1]

## Composition and structure

Following Bartók's model, *Afrikosmos* is published in six volumes containing 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, and 10 pieces respectively, each volume sequenced by increasing technical and conceptual complexity.[2] Blake described the genres included in each volume as "studies, pieces focusing on rhythm and texture, character pieces, dances, pieces exploring a mode or scale, folksong arrangements and variations, transcriptions and homages".[1]

The cycle blends original neo‑African techniques[3] using [anhemitonic](/source/Anhemitonic_scale) [pentatonic scales](/source/Pentatonic_scale), [Xhosa](/source/Xhosa_people) [bow](/source/Uhadi_musical_bow) harmony ([hexatonic scales](/source/Hexatonic_scale)), interlocking rhythmic structures, [polyrhythms](/source/Polyrhythm), cyclic forms, and practices such as [graphic notation](/source/Graphic_notation_(music)), inside‑the‑piano techniques, whistling, and finger‑clicks, with direct transcriptions of traditional melodies and explicit homages to composers including [Erik Satie](/source/Erik_Satie), [Percy Grainger](/source/Percy_Grainger), [Michael Mosoeu Moerane](/source/Michael_Mosoeu_Moerane), [György Kurtág](/source/Gy%C3%B6rgy_Kurt%C3%A1g), [Henry Cowell](/source/Henry_Cowell), [Robert Schumann](/source/Robert_Schumann), and [Olivier Messiaen](/source/Olivier_Messiaen).[1]

## Volumes

The list of pieces is as follows:

Volume I To Comfort a Child (Lullaby) Stickfighting Song Interlocking Hands Sefapanosaurus Distant Cowbells Herding Song (Pastoral) Geyser Off! Hat On! Fifths You are a real rascal Slow Dance In the Hexatonic Mode Wedding Song Ntsikana's Bell Reflection (Homage to Erik Satie) Stroll to the Spaza Shop (Homage to Stanley Glasser) Volume II Canon at the Octave Five Finger Patterns Ostinato with Cross Rhythms Call and Response Four-note Patterns Threshing Song Lusikisiki Variations on 4ths and 5ths In Goema Style Latshon'ilanga (The sun has set) There Cried a Hippo Song for the Evening Haiku March (Homage to Stefan Wolpe) Volume III Spotted Dikkop and Black Cuckoo Smoke and Mirrors Supermoon (Homage to Henry Cowell) Lebombo Bone iKos'tina Stay on Path Thirds Tickey-draai Two Modes Interlocking Variations John Knox Bokwe's “Plea for Africa” Postcards from South Africa African Doves (Homage to Olivier Messiaen)

Volume IV Keep left, pass right If I had wings I could fly High Fives Emerging Melody Scents of Childhood 1 (Homage to Schumann) Self Delectative Song Seventh Must Fall Chaconne in Mbaqanga Style Patterns in a Heptatonic Field Weave Da kom die Alibama Message from the Nduna (Homage to György Kurtág) Volume V The Seven Steps Linong tsa lesiba (Song of the Birds) Un Sonnerie pour G D Chorale (Homage to MMM) Scents of Childhood 2 (Homage to Schumann) Walking Song (Homage to Percy Grainger) Changing Times with Repeating Patterns Reedpipe Dance Major-Minor Unevensong Ituri Rain Forest (Homage to JSB) Volume VI The music flows jolly as it won't stop forever Heaven's Bow Night Music Giyani Scents of Childhood 3 (Homage to Schumann and Puccini) Diary of a Dung Beetle Freedom Day Variation Lyric Piece (Homage to Grieg) Broken Line Dance in Seakhi Rhythm (Homage to Bartók and JP Mohapeloa)

## Publication

The six volumes were published in 2022 by Bardic Edition (BDE 1281–BDE 1286), each accompanied by detailed programme notes on individual pieces.[2]

## Performance history

Pianist Antony Gray premiered most of the cycle in August 2021 during a three‑part soirée in Le Genesteix, France.[1] On 24 September 2022, [NewMusicSA](/source/NewMusicSA) presented selected movements at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, with Gray as soloist.[2]

## Recording and release

Gray recorded the complete cycle at Menuhin Hall, Cobham, Surrey, in June 2021, with Simon Weir producing, engineering, and mastering. The three‑CD set (catalogue number DDA 21374) was released by Divine Art Recordings in spring 2023.[4][1]

## Critical reception

Colin Clarke of *[Fanfare](/source/Fanfare_(magazine))* hailed *Afrikosmos* as "truly different, truly engaging—sonic African food for the soul", praising its structural variety and Gray's "deep saturation in Blake's score".[4] Barry Kilpatrick in the *[American Record Guide](/source/American_Record_Guide)* noted the cycle's "wide variety of levels of difficulty" and singled out movements such as "Walking Song (Homage to Percy Grainger)", "Chaconne in Mbaqanga Style", and "Freedom Day Variation" for their rhythmic vitality and expressive depth.[5] [Stephanus Muller](/source/Stephanus_Muller)'s analysis in *Herri* examined the work's intertextual dialogue with Bartók, its algorithmic compositional approach, and its material focus on sound and structure.[2]

## References

1. Divine Art Recordings Group (13 January 2023). ["Divine Art Announces *Afrikosmos* – a new epic piano cycle by South African composer Michael Blake"](https://divineartrecords.com/divine-art-announces-afrikosmos-a-new-epic-piano-cycle-by-south-african-composer-michael-blake/). *Divine Art Recordings*

1. Muller, Stephanus. ["*Afrikosmos*: the keyboard as a Turing machine"](https://herri.org.za/8/stephanus-muller/). *Herri*. No. 8. Retrieved 17 April 2025.

1. Blake, Michael (January 2023). ["Composing in the Field"](https://pubhtml5.com/ssbo/jytr/Piano_Professional_Issue_60_January_UPDATE/). *Piano Professional*. '***(60): 38–41. London: European Piano Teachers Association, UK.***

1. Clarke, Colin (26 July 2023). "Review of *Afrikosmos*". *[Fanfare](/source/Fanfare_(magazine))*

1. Kilpatrick, Barry (15 August 2023). "Review of *Afrikosmos*". *[American Record Guide](/source/American_Record_Guide)*

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