Piano Music Of Africa And The African Diaspora Vol. 4

Description: This wonderful anthology presents a fascinating survey of music by African composers, both those living in Africa and those now resident elsewhere in the world. The music, much of which is published here for the first time, includes a kaleidoscope of different styles, moods, genres, and colours. You will find works influenced by the blues, jazz, and ragtime and works built on exotic scales, African folk-tunes, and drumming rhythms. The volumes are graded, ranging from beginner (Vol. 1) to advanced (Vol. 5). They provide exciting material for pianists just beginning their studies and for those who are looking for new and exciting recital repertoire. Review: Clearly one of the best works in the entire series is The Lotus by Gyimah Labi (Ghana) (volume 4). This composition is an excerpt from his important work, Six Dialects in African Pianism, which explores an array of percussive, rhythmic and timbral fundamentals unique to African music. The Lotus is a dance in compound time that starts innocently enough, yet builds gradually and relentlessly to a huge climactic section, utilizing amazing sequences of triplet octaves set against strongly marked hemiola accompaniment figures. The overall effect is breathtaking. The Score (Louisiana Music Teachers Assoc), May 09 A new supply of richly varied repertoire John York, Piano 2007 Table of Contents: Prelude and Caprice; Ukom; Flowers in the Sand; Coma Dance; Troubled Water; Toccata; The Lotus