Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti (b. 1983) is a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) musician dedicated to
the arts of our time. A "leading composer-performer" (The New York Times), Lanzilotti’s
“conceptually potent” work is characterized by explorations of timbre and an interest in
translating everyday sounds to concert instruments using nontraditional techniques. Her
musical voice is grounded in experimental practices, both through influences as part of the
network of musicians / artists in the Wandelweiser collective, and her own explorations into
radical indigenous contemporaneity. “Lanzilotti’s score brings us together across the world in
remembrance, through the commitment of shared sonic gestures.” (Cities & Health) Lanzilotti
was honored to be a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2022 for her string orchestra piece, with eyes
the color of time, which the Pulitzer committee called, “a vibrant composition . . . that distinctly
combines experimental string textures and episodes of melting lyricism.”
Title / Movements / Program Notes:
we began this quilt there
i. Uluhaimalama
ii. Ku‘u hae aloha
iii. Paoakalani
Drawing upon the playful colors and delicate embroidery of the Queen’s Quilt and the prison
songs of Lili‘uokalani, this work explores the kaona (hidden meanings) of the crafts and
compositions created by Lili‘uokalani during her imprisonment in Iolani Palace.
The titles of the first two movements of we began this quilt there are references words within
the Queen’s Quilt silkscreened on ribbons, likely brought to her in secret either as wrapping for
flowers or hidden in baskets of fruit. The last movement title refers to her composition Ku‘u pua i
Paoakalani, the melody of which is woven throughout the last movement, and is thought to be
an ode to her supporters at Uluhaimalama.
While she was able to publish a couple of her songs during her imprisonment, she was
restricted in her communication with the outside world. Instead, she wove her undying love for
her nation and her people into her compositions and the quilt itself.
In the center block of the quilt, there are four quadrants embroidered with the queen’s name,
birth date, ascension to the throne-followed by dates of her dethroning, abdication, and the
uprising that followed. Finally, it records the dates of her imprisonment:
Her Majesty Queen
Liliuokalani
Imprisoned at Iolani Palace
January 17th 1895
. . .
Released Sept 6th 1895
we began this quilt there
ETHEL and Allison Loggins-Hull perform "We Began This Quilt There" by Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti
Live at the Brooklyn Public Library, Dweck Auditorium 10/16/22
3 май 2023
