Senku: Piano Music by Composers of African Descent

Senku : William Chapman Nyaho Chapman Nyaho has employed good research, exquisite musicianship, and courage, in selecting music for this debut CD. His research led him to find marvelous but little known composers in Africa, the Caribbean, England and the United States.

Chapman Nyaho, a famed concert pianist, chose compositions, which allowed him to display his virtuosity. He is able to offer music, light, and sunny, which brings to mind the games of childhood?s summer and in this same CD, music as majestic as the thrilling great chords found in "Deep River, I want to crossover into campground."

Chapman Nyaho?s magnificent courage can be seen in his willingness to find the music, to select the music, and then offer the music to an audience, which for the most part, had never heard of these composers. That was wondrously brave.

This CD will provide moments of discovery so delicious, that the listeners will be made to laugh out loud and to compliment not just Dr. Chapman Nyaho, but themselves at their good fortune in finding these composers and this pianist.

I wish happy harmonies to Dr. Chapman Nyaho and I know the listeners will enjoy this CD and they should not be surprised if they start whistling the melodies, immediately.

Senku: a Fanti (Ghana) term for a keyboard instrument. Piano Music by Composers of African Descent is extremely varied. The composers show an influence of both African and Western cultures. The African elements may manifest themselves on a melodic, harmonic and rhythmic level, whereas the structure of the work may be more easily identified as Western. On the other hand, composers may use 20th century Western compositional techniques with the general musical aesthetic being African. The melodic, harmonic and percussive qualities of the piano make it the perfect vehicle for the expression of this inter-cultural music.

Contents of Senku:

Joshua Uzoigwe (NIGERIA) (1946-)
Talking Drums
1 Ukom (6:49)
2 Ilulu (2:45)
3 Egwu Amala (5:22)
Sample (0:46): MP3

Oswald Russell (JAMAICA) (1939-)
Three Jamaican Dances
4 No. 1 (1:02)
5 No. 2 (2:27)
6 No. 3 (1:56)
Sample (1:01) MP3

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (USA) (1932-)
7 Scherzo (9:42)
Sample (0:49): MP3

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (ENGLAND)
(1875-1912)
8 Deep River (6:20)
from 24 Negro Melodies Op. 59 no. 10
Sample (0:51): MP3

Margaret Bonds (USA) (1913-1972)
9 Troubled Water (4:52)
Sample (0:55): MP3

Gamal Abdel-Rahim (EGYPT) (1924-1988)
10 Variations on
an Egyptian Folksong (6:21)
Sample (1:22): MP3

Robert Nathaniel Dett (USA)
(1882-1943)
"In The Bottoms" Suite
11 Prelude: Night (4:25)
12 His Song (3:02)
13 Honey: Humoresque (1:29)
14 Barcarolle: Morning (5:00)
Sample (1:03): MP3
15 Dance: Juba (2:16)
Sample (Full cut): MP3

Gyimah Labi (GHANA) (1950-)
16 Earthbeats Op. 22 (9:29)
From Six Dialects in African Pianism
Sample (0:48): MP3