Susanna Faust: Fela Sowande's 'Ơbángíjì' 'became the theme for the BBCʼs African programs from 1943 to the 1960s.'

[Fela Sowande]

The composer and organist Fela Sowande (1905-1987) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, which cites many findings from the 2009 book The Music of Fela Sowande by Prof. Bode Omojola. Two sources refer to a Sowande organ work of about four and a half minutes which can be heard online:

This Is Africa

(June 11, 2011)

“This is some organ music by the Nigerian composer Fela Sowande. He used Yoruba themes even though his music was Christian. This song was the BBC’s 'Africa theme music' whenever there was a news item related to Africa”:
http://susannafaust.bandcamp.com/track/b-ng-j-by-fel-sow-nd

Ơbángíjì by Felá Sowándé (4:32)

by Susanna Faust

"about

"In 1935, he moved to London, where he abandoned plans for civil engineering and dedicated himself to music. During World War II, the Ministry of Information arranged his release from the Royal Air Force so that he could serve as music director for the colonial film unit. In this capacity he wrote music for films that were directed to African audiences, including his signature tune, Ơbángíjì. It was a fantasy on a melody by Rev. Joshua Jesse Ransome-Kuti, and it became the theme for the BBCʼs African programs from 1943 to the 1960s.

"credits

released 02 February 2011

Jonathan Shuey, producer; Camp Hill Presbyterian Church, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania (David Binkley, Director of Music); Schantz pipe organ, III/42, Opus 2270"