Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Contemporary music played on an ancient Lyre. The Lyre Ensemble continues a discussion on the recreation of the Gold Lyre of Ur, focusing on both the possibilities and trappings of creating music on an ancient replica. Andy Lowings, Jennifer Sturdy, Mark Harmer, and Stef Conner sit down with the OI for a look at their project, The Flood, a piece of music that incorporates ancient texts into a speculation on what ancient music might have sounded like.

To watch part 1, visit: youtu.be/CimbNIhc70E

Part 2 of the Lyre Ensemble podcast, continues our Contemporary Artist/Ancient Voices series, a set of conversations with artists who draw inspiration from the ancient Middle East.

To learn more about the Lyre Ensemble, please visit: lyre-ensemble.com/admin
To explore the text used in the Lyre Ensemble's recordings, click on these two dramatic interpretations of the death of Enkidu produced by the Lyre Ensemble, the first video is in Akkadian, the second is in English:
youtube.com/watch?v=2qlMQtxg-JA&t=58s
youtube.com/watch?v=vUdllauhlvM&t=5s

To support OI research, become a member of the Oriental Institute. To explore the benefits of joining, please visit: https://oi.uchicago.edu/join-and-give/become-member



2021, Oriental Institute
Music: They Lyre ensemble
Intro Music: bensound.com