'With My Lute' is Aisha Orazbayeva’s first release in 4 years, featuring her own 17th century inspired composition, alongside a bold reimagining of a Renaissance lute song written in 1610 by the English composer John Dowland.

Reflecting the Kazakh violinist's recent focus on her development as a composer as well as her activity in early music performance, 'With My Lute' is an extended version of a song originally written 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 Gustav 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 John Dowland’s 'In Darkness Let Me Dwell'. Normally performed on Renaissance lute with a classically trained voice, Aisha and Peiman reimagine Dowland's song with synthesised sounds, rhythmic minimalism and a striking post-human vocal that amplifies the solitary, sorrowful airs of the original and situates the song firmly in the present.

This track also introduces Orazbayeva and Iranian producer Peiman Khosravi’s newly formed violin / voice & 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.

Out digitally on 8 November via Constructive.