Hysterical Racism: Gorée in À l’île de Gorée
Listening to Xenakis in Senegal
Audio Paper by Monika Zyla
It’s 1986. Iannis Xenakis writes a harpsichord concerto for an ensemble. He names his composition À l’île de Gorée. Despite its abstract, purely instrumental character, the piece delivers a powerful social and political criticism.
In 2022, I travel to Senegal and visit Gorée island to learn about this place, its history, and its meaning. Immersed in the island's rich sonosphere, I am deeply touched by the experience of stepping through the Door of No Return in the House of Slaves, and the open view of the vast Atlantic Ocean. In my piece, I reimagine listening to Xenakis' composition, this time through this specific place, its people and their stories.
About the author
Monika Żyła is a musicologist, writer and researcher. She is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Musicology and Dance Studies, University of Salzburg. As a lecturer, she is affiliated with the Universität der Künste Berlin, Humboldt University in Berlin, and the University of Vienna where she teaches seminars on intersectional gender/diversity and
curatorial practices in contemporary music, sound art, and dance. Monika Żyła works as a researcher for Sounds Now, an EU-funded initiative comprising 9 contemporary music festivals and art centers to promote diversity and inclusion in contemporary music and
sound art. She published in Glissando, Ruch Muzyczny, Odra, Dwutygodnik, Contemporary Music Review, and Circuit - Musiques contemporaines.
Audio Paper commissioned by MINU.
Supported by Musikfonds Berlin e.V.
Pictures by Andoz Krishnadas ©Arkandoz Photography
Iannis Xenakis' composition À l’île de Gorée included is published with kind permission by Riot Ensemble and Gośka Isphording (harpsichord). The recording was made by BBC Radio 3.