Rajery

Hailing from Madagascar, Rajery—whose complete name is Germain Randrianrisoa and whose pronunciation is Rajer—embodies the versatility of a true polymath. Beyond serving as a virtuoso on the valiha, the island’s tubular harp, and directing his personal ensemble, he established the contemporary valiha orchestra and penned the volume The Secret of the Valiha. Such accomplishments stand out sharply given the severe physical challenge he first had to surmount. Born in Analamihantona, he was carried by his parents at eleven months to a wedding celebration, where someone offered him a portion of tainted meat that he seized in his right hand; within weeks the fingers of that hand detached. Despite the grim outlook this created for a one-handed youth, his family dispatched him to the Malagasy capital, Antananarivo, so he could attend school. At fourteen Rajery resolved to master the valiha. Three years later he entered the ensemble Tsilavena, where he cultivated a personal approach that combined left-hand finger-picking, right-hand stub strumming, and bass playing. His debut solo recital occurred in 1983. He persisted with his studies, completed them, published The Secret of the Valiha, and launched a teaching career. With his valiha pupils he assembled Akombaliha, an ensemble that matured into a full orchestra echoing the celebrated groups of earlier twentieth-century decades. He simultaneously assembled a compact quartet supported by guitar, bass, and percussion. Dorotanety appeared in 1999, an album on which he performed every part himself; three years afterward came Fanamby, timed with his inaugural American tour.