Landscapes of Africa: Music for Orchestra
AGCD #2071
Music
That Survived Katrina
by William J.
Zick, Webmaster,
AfriClassical.com
Landscapes of Africa: Music for Orchestra
by Fred Onovwerosuoke (52:18), AGCD 2071 (2007), is an exciting
new CD of musical compositions largely salvaged from the rubble left by
Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The composer, Fred Onovwerosuoke, born in
Ghana to Nigerian parents, is Founder and Director of the St. Louis African
Chorus. For me, the African tone was set before I opened the disc, by the
well-traveled composer's back cover photo of the exotic lavender-tinted
Temple des Pythons at Ouidah, Benin Republic. Two of the ten instrumental
tracks were commissioned, including Rhapsody on Nketia's Republic Suite
(5:04), commissioned by Prof. Emeritus J. H. Kwabena Nketia of Ghana for the
Ghana Jubilee Celebrations this year. The music incorporates colorful African
harmonic idioms and lively rhythms in Western classical forms. The second
commissioned work is Landscapes of Africa (12:32), a composition
for flutes and piccolo commissioned by the Brannen-Cooper Brothers Flute Company
for flutist Dr. Wendy Hymes. In many aspects,
Landscapes of Africa
is a unique production. It is the first ever full CD of orchestra music by an African
composer. In rendition, the musicians and sound engineers of the New Horizon
Studio Orchestra, under the direction of the composer, have produced a supreme
performance and set the tone for other orchestras to replicate
or surpass. This CD is a
must for classical music buffs, musicologists and every orchestra seeking works
by African composers. I also recommend it to every music enthusiast.
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Fanfare for Orchestra
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How can I contribute?
Click button below to
make secure contributions online You may also
call (314) 652-6800
or email slac@africanchorus.org
Or, by mail to:
St. Louis African Chorus,
3547 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.
Thank you!
