a 13 minute piano improv on a piano i just met. i noticed the middle pedal had its own voice, so i inquired about it with the keys.

learning to share small moments, imperfect playings, the joy of sitting still and letting go.

a piano i met in brooklyn (improv, august 2022)

Sailboat Sorrows | for 2 flutes & piano

The first piece I've written in my first semester at New York University.

It Only Ever Rains In November | Solo Piano (MIDI)

"We were leaving yesterday
Bless my heart and take my sorrow,
Put it in your pocket for me,
You can give it back tomorrow."

A piece for three singers, 'Savannah' mourns a mother saying goodbye to her child. Her reasons for leaving are unbeknownst to the child and to the listener, but in some visceral way, this is a piece that resonates with almost everybody.

Performed at NYU's First Stages Concert in February 2017.
 
Soprano 1: Madeleine Kuhn 
Soprano 2: Katherine Theis
Alto: Sophie Torres Szczotka
Piano: Nyokabi Kariuki 

© 2017 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

Savannah | 3 Upper Voices (Live)

A piece exploring the bittersweet nature of travel - the bitterness of leaving home, the joy of discovering someplace new; and the sadness of realising that over time, what you called 'home' is no longer as you knew it.

Recorded at the James Dolan Recording Studio at NYU as part of the String/Composition Department Collaboration, Mix Nouveau. 

Cellist: Dorothy Carlos.

© 2017 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

The Traveler's Dilemma | Solo Cello

"If I saw you in the streets
I wonder if you'd remember me
Or am I erased from your memory?
In mine, you're all I dream."

Premiered at Nyokabi Kariuki's Junior Recital (2019), in partial fulfilment of her degree in Music Composition from New York University. 

Mayona Smith, soprano
Cameron Franklin, mezzo-soprano
Madelaine Maloney, alto 1
Nyokabi Kariuki, alto 1
Sophie Maxwell, alto 2
Alexis Dobynes, alto 2
Tim Schneider, vibraphone

© 2017 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

Kabi Junior Recital (Live Recordings)

When The Stars Collide | 6 Upper Voices & Vibraphone (Live)

'Arabuko' is named after the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest located on the coast of Kenya. The piece envisions a walk through the dark forest, and the players serve as a character on this walk.Forced to reconcile with the darkness of the journey, slowly (and literally) reveal their fears to us.

This piece is no stranger to SoundCloud, although it now appears is in its extended form - not the final form, i must admit; as it will continue to grow. And to be fair - for a piece that's based on a journey through a forest ('Arabuko' is actually a forest in the coastal region of Kenya), the idea that the piece is still growing seems fitting.

Connie Li, violin
Krysta Hippolite, cello

© 2018 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

Arabuko | Violin & Cello (Live)

"How do you wake up early and release?
How do you choose your faces for tomorrow?
How do you stare at the moon and believe,
That there’s dreams in your heart that you must follow?"

Premiered at Nyokabi Kariuki's Junior Recital (2019), in partial fulfilment of her degree in Music Composition from New York University. 

Alexis Dobynes, voice
Nyokabi Kariuki, piano.

© 2018 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

What You'd Do | Voice (Live)

Ardhi (2017)
'Ardhi' means 'Earth' in Swahili. The piece lives in a world governed by the clean sound of the octave, sometimes filling the spaces in between. 

John Melendez, piano

*

Ardhi | Solo Piano (Live)

"I'm the one you call in the morning
To tell, your heart isn't strong
I'm the one you call when you're drowning
When the waves just move you along." 

This piece was written as a songwriting assignment in which the instruction was to pick a film and write a song for the ends credits. I chose Barry Jenkins’ groundbreaking film Moonlight (2016).

Premiered at Nyokabi Kariuki's Junior Recital (2019), in partial fulfilment of her degree in Music Composition from New York University.
Nyokabi Kariuki, voice & piano
Madelaine Maloney, voice
Cameron Franklin, voice
Krysta Hyppolite, cello
Melissa Neyer, double bass
Tim Schneider, vibraphone & glockenspiel

© 2017 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

Moonlight/Nothing On You (Live)

(no), i don't want to Leave You Whole 
'cause that may Leave Me Empty

*Studio Version* 

composed & performed(piano & vocals) by Nyokabi Kariuki
Engineered & Mixed by Madeleine Flieger
__

© 2019 Nyokabi Kariuki. All Rights Reserved.

(no), i don't want to Leave You Whole 'cause that may Leave Me Empty (Studio Version)

Nyokabi Kariuki (b. 1998, she/her) is a US-based Kenyan composer whose works range from classical contemporary to film, choral, and experimental pop; and further includes explorations into sound art, electronics, and (East) African musical traditions. 

On this page are recordings of her work that came to life during her time studying composition at New York University. Check out her website to find more. (:

Nyokabi Kariuki

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