Fela Sowande (1905-1987)
[Fela Sowande is considered the Father of Nigerian Art Music. His career is profiled in detail at AfriClassical.com]
Utah Symphony’s cautious opening proves a moving experience
By Catherine Reese Newton
September 19, 2020
The Utah Symphony opened its 2020-21 season on time Thursday night,
ending a six-month intermission. Earlier the same day the Utah
Department of Health reported a state record of 911 new cases of the
novel coronavirus.
The orchestra took abundant care in its first concert since the
Covid-19 pandemic stopped the music world in its tracks. The Abravanel
Hall stage was extended to allow at least 6 feet of distance between the
night’s performers—about 40 string players, joined briefly by harpist
Louise Vickerman and even more briefly by principal percussionist Keith
Carrick.
***
Fela Sowande’s “Joyful Day” opened the show in festive fashion. In this first movement from the Nigerian composer’s 1944 African Suite
based on West African tunes, it may have taken a few bars for the
string sound to coalesce, but the orchestra soon showed itself in top
form.
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