With My Lute

With My Lute is Orazbayeva's first release in four years, reflecting her activities during this period, which encompasses early music performance as well as original compositions.

The first track entitled With My Lute is an extended version of a song originally written by Orazbayeva for OUR SOLO, a dance piece made in collaboration with Claire Croizè and Etienne Guilloteau (ECCE production, 2023). The text is an adaptation of Richard Stokes' English translation of Mahler's The Farewell (from Song of the Earth), which itself is a German translation of a 7th century Chinese poem by Mong-Kao-Jen. The song is loosely written in the form of a passacaglia, featuring violin, theorbo (Toby Carr), cello (Jonny Byers) and synths (Peiman Khosravi). With My Lute explores the concept of "Melancholy" which was regarded as one of four "humours" in Ancient medicine and often referenced in Renaissance Art and Music.

The reflection on the musical past and Melancholy continues with an electronic interpretation of Dowland's In Darkness Let Me Dwell — an unsettling blend of the musical flavour of the Renaissance with the sound of modern Dance music. This track also introduces Orazbayeva and Khosravi's newly formed violin/voice and electronics duo. The duo is currently in the process of developing an extensive live show that includes original compositions and improvisation, as well as reinterpretations of existing music.