[Senku:
Piano Music by Composers of African Descent;
William
Chapman Nyaho, piano; MSR Classics MS 1091 (2003)]
As we have posted
previously, Dr. William Chapman Nyaho was a student and close friend
of the late Jamaican pianist and composer Oswald Russell (1933-2012), who passed away July 2.
Dr. Chapman Nyaho recorded Russell's Three Jamaican Dances on his CD Senku: Piano Music by
Composers of African Descent;
MSR Classics MS 1091 (2003). The work is in three movements: No. 1
(1:02); No. 2 (2:27) and No. 3 (1:56). The pianist writes in the
liner notes:
“As
a versatile composer, concert pianist and improviser, his innovative
concert programs usually include his own works, music from Western
classical repertoire to Jazz and improvisations. Russell has held
teaching positions in Jamaica and Switzerland and has been visiting
Professor of Music in Kinshasa, Zaire.
“Oswald's
compositions include music for film, ballet, Marionette Theater, wind
band and several solo instruments. His style is a subtle blend of
Caribbean and Western musical idioms. Russell's gift for melody is
characterized by long beautifully balanced phrases. His wide
harmonic language ranges from simple diatonic to complex Jazz
harmonies to atonality. A particular trait is his use of very
effective sudden tonal shifts.
“The
Jamaican Dances are inspired by impressions of Jamaican life and its
folksong. As in all three dances, a short introduction establishes
the main rhythmic character of each piece. The first dance, replete
with strong rhythmic gestures, is based on typical Jamaica rhythms.
It is also infused with alternating major and minor harmonies and
sudden tonal shifts. The second dance, according to Russell, is the
product of his impovisation based on the folksong 'Sammy Dead.' The
introduction is based on the cakewalk rhythm out of which grows a
soaring and most haunting melody. The final dance of the set is more
joyful in character and uses a tune 'Rookoombine' which is often
heard in the market place. Again, Russell's composition is very
colorful with shifts in tonality. As tongue in cheek, Russell
increasingly incorporates 'wrong notes' towards the end of the
dance.”
[Dr.William Chapman Nyaho (b. 1958) is featured at AfriClassical.com. His
performance website is http://www.nyaho.com/
and he has a Facebook Page.]
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