Alemu Aga

Über Alemu Aga

Alemu Aga is the foremost living master of the begena, the great ten-string bass lyre known in Ethiopia as the harp of King David. Taught by court musicians in the imperial era, he preserved the instrument's meditative, deeply spiritual repertoire through decades when it was discouraged under the Derg regime. His Éthiopiques Vol. 11 recording brought the begena's droning, hypnotic devotional music to listeners around the world.