Sally Beamish - Awuya (performed by Anne Denholm)

Music by Sally Beamish

Performed by Anne Denholm

Produced by Laurie Irvine

Performed by the outstanding young harpist, Anne Denholm, the piece was commissioned by Glasgow University for Professor Keith Vickerman, to celebrate his groundbreaking research in the field of African Sleeping Sickness. Awuya is inspired by the changing forms of deadly trypanosomes, by Central African drums and harp, and by a lullaby from a tribe decimated by sleeping sickness in the 1940s. The original words of the lullaby, sung to a little girl called Awuya, are hauntingly reminiscent of the symptoms of the disease. In his new film, Laurie Irvine has incorporated these ideas, enhancing Anne's powerful performance.

This film was made possible with funding from Creative Scotland

www.sallybeamish.com

Follow Sally Beamish on Twitter: @sallybeamish

Follow Anne Denholm on Twitter @anne_denholm