Emahoy Tsegue Maryam Guebrou

Deeply resonant spiritual music transmitted via piano, organ, and harmonium by beloved composer and Ethiopian Orthodox nun Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru.

Church of Kidane Mehret collects all the musical work from Emahoy’s 1972 private press album of the same name, alongside two additional unreleased piano recordings, exploring Emahoy’s take on “Ethiopian Church Music.”

Recording herself in churches throughout Jerusalem, Emahoy engages directly with the Ethiopian Orthodox musical liturgy. For the first time, we hear Emahoy on harmonium and massive, droning pipe organ, alongside some of her most moving piano work.

“Ave Maria” is one of our favorite pieces Emahoy ever recorded, her chiming piano reverberating against ancient stone walls. Her familiar melodic lines take on new resonance when played through the harmonium on “Spring Ode - Meskerem.” Two towering organ performances comprise the B Side, combining Emahoy’s classical European training with her lifelong study of Ethiopian religious music.

Nowhere is Emahoy’s unique combination of influences more apparent than on “Essay on Mahlet,” a meditative slow burner in which Emahoy interprets the free verse of the Orthodox liturgy note for note on the piano. This revelatory piece, alongside the dramatic piano composition “The Storm,” comes from another self-released album, 1963’s Der Sang Des Meeres. Only 50 copies were ever produced (and no cover). One of the only known copies was saved from the trash and shared with Mississippi by a fellow nun at Emahoy’s monastery when we visited for Emahoy’s funeral in March of 2023.

We are proud to work with the Emahoy Tsege Mariam Music Foundation to bring you these rare spiritual recordings in what would have been the artist’s 102nd year.

Available in black and clear vinyl editions. Old-school tip-on jacket with metallic silver foil stamping along with a 12-page booklet featuring extensive liner notes from scholar and pianist Thomas Feng.

NOTE: DIGITAL AND CD VERSIONS INCLUDE 4 BONUS TRACKS!!!
The A Side of the original Church of Kidane Mehret LP was comprised of four field recordings of the Mahlet chant. These pieces are not composed or performed by Emahoy. They are included for historical accuracy. Below is more information on the tracks, as taken from the back cover of the original LP.

I. MESBAK: Yet my king is from old. Ps. 74:12–13.
Chanted by Deacons Berhanu Bekele and Abraham Habte Selassie. Reading of the Gospel according to St. John Chapter 15:1–12, by the Archpriest Abba Gebre Selassie Haile Mariam at a Mass Service in the Ethiopian Church of Deir es-Sultan in Jerusalem.

II. From Thy Side...
Deacon Abraham chants:
From Thy side flowed a spring of water
Which purified the repentant thief;
Thy Cross is a shelter for every one in distress.

III. Behold the Cross!
Deacon Abraham chants:
Behold the Cross,
Behold the Exaltation of the Cross,
His (Jesus') memorial on earth and in the highest heaven.

IV. Believe in Me...
Deacons Berhanu and Abraham chant:
Jesus said to his disciples:
Believe in Me and believe in My Father,
For My Cross shineth for all that are Mine.