Leilehua Lanzilotti

zaqzaqa — viola (2026)

Commissioned by Laila Zakzook, duration 5’

zaqzaqa explores themes of transformation, connection, and renewal. The opening gesture could be heard as a lonely dance of a single bird seeking connection, and plays with the physicality of natural harmonics and resonant stopped notes in the same physical notation to generate patterns. As the gesture transforms, it becomes rapid, shimmering, natural harmonics, with the violist using a spiccato bariolage to mimic the delicate, iridescent chirping of birds as they call to each other in the early morning.

The title of the work, zaqzaqa, means “chirp” in Arabic, as in the sound of singing birds—and winks at the commissioner’s last name, Zakzook.

This work was developed while in residence at the Lucas Artists Residency Program, Montalvo Arts Center.