The Flood

In 2003 the harpist Andy Lowings set about creating a playable replica of the earliest known stringed instrument, the Gold Lyre of Ur, from the Sumerian civilisation in Mesopotamia. The original instrument, dating from 2,500 BC, was destroyed when the Museum of Baghdad was vandalised. Eventually this and the Silver Lyre, modelled on another instrument found at the Royal Grave in Iraq were constructed. Lowlings met composer and singer Stef Conner (once of The Unthanks), who has an interest in ancient poetry, and the harpist and producer Mark Harmer. Together they formed The Lyre Ensemble. Conner and Lowlings chose texts, written on clay tablets, spanning the 23rd to sixth centuries BC. Each is written from a female perspective, or relates to the lives of women, and is set to music. The Flood is the fruit of this collaboration.

The lyres provide patterns that are rhythmic and only skeletally melodic, against which Conner sings. Despite the playfulness and critical social comment of some of the poetry, there is a solemn, almost liturgical aspect to the music. The Flood is an album for open-minded lovers of Babylonian and Sumerian poetry – probably a small demographic – but will also be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in musical archaeology.