Godwin Sadoh performs the 'Finale' of his 'Nigerian Organ Symphony' on YouTube

[Godwin Sadoh]

Godwin Sadoh, D.M.A. is a Nigerian organist and composer who serves as Professor of Music at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. He has a website: http://www.godwinsadoh.com/ Godwin Sadoh is also author of six books, including Intercultural Dimensions in Ayo Bankole's Music (2007). Today Dr. Sadoh sends us a YouTube video of Finale (3:50) from Nigerian Organ Symphony:

"Finale from Nigerian Organ Symphony by Godwin Sadoh

Finale is an original composition and the last movement of a major work entitled, Nigerian Organ Symphony [WI: Evensong Music, 2007]. It is colored with chromatic passages, ostinato, call-and-response, African bell patterns, hand clapping rhythms, and other African traditional music tone flavors. The piece closes with all the resources of the organ and a short cadenza in the pedal. This performance was the world premiere by the composer himself in Alabama State."

Organist Godwin Sadoh Performs 'Ijo Keresimesi-Christmas Dance' on YouTube

[Godwin Sadoh]

The Nigerian organist and composer Godwin Sadoh, D.M.A., is Professor of Music at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. He has a website: http://www.godwinsadoh.com/ Godwin Sadoh is also author of six books, including Intercultural Dimensions in Ayo Bankole's Music (2007). Dr. Sadoh sends us a 2008 YouTube video (1:42), Ijo Keresimesi-Christmas Dance:

Ijo Keresimesi [from 25 Preludes on Yoruba Church Hymns] by Godwin Sadoh

Ijo Keresimesi-Christmas Dance [NC: Wayne Leupold Editions, 2006] is a lively piece based on hymn no. 49 from my published hymn book, E Korin S'Oluwa: Fifty Indigenous Christian Hymns from Nigeria [N.C.: Wayne Leupold Editions, 2005]. The piece is most appropriate for the Christmas season.

'Keresimesi Odun de' [Nigerian Christmas Carol] by Godwin Sadoh on YouTube

[Godwin Sadoh, D.M.A.]

The Nigerian organist and composer Godwin Sadoh, D.M.A., is Professor of Music at Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. His website is: http://www.godwinsadoh.com/ He is author of six books, including Intercultural Dimensions in Ayo Bankole's Music (2007). Dr. Sadoh sends us a YouTube video which is nearly three minutes in length:

“Keresimesi Odun de [Nigerian Christmas Carol] by Godwin Sadoh

Keresimesi Odun de [NC: Wayne Leupold Editions, 2006] is based on song numbers 26 and 49, from my hymn book, E Korin S'Oluwa: Fifty Indigenous Christian Hymns from Nigeria [N.C.: Wayne Leupold Editions, 2005]. It is for the Christmas season.

“TRANSLATION OF THE YORUBA TEXT

Christmas festival is here! Festival of money, joy, and peace. Son of God is born into Bethlehem, Jesus, Savior, Son of the Lord is born into Bethlehem. Peace unto the earth, Glory be to you, peace unto the earth, Glory be to you.

Alleluia! Alleluia!! Alleluia!!! Jesus loves me.

Festival of Christmas has come . . .”

Mickey Thomas Terry Reviews Godwin Sadoh's Books on Organ Music of Fela Sowande & Ayo Bankole

[Fela Sowande]

Mickey Thomas Terry, Ph.D., is Editor, The African-American Organ Music Anthology:

TheFreeLibrary.com

“This is a review of two books on two modern Nigerian composers written by Godwin Sadoh. The books are, The Organ Works of Fela Sowande and Cultural Perspectives and Intercultural Dimensions in Ayo Bankole's Music.

“The Organ Works of Fela Sowande: Cultural Perspectives [New York: iUniverse Publishing, 2007]

The advent of new scholarly publications is always a joy to discover; however, this first of Godwin Sadoh's two books featuring Nigerian/African organ composers is exceptionally fine. The organist and composer Fela Sowande (1905-1987) is the subject of this study.

“Sowande's life was marked by the type of distinction that manifests itself only when accompanied by extraordinary achievement. He was the first African to be appointed as a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and was the first African to receive the British FRCO diploma (the highest award for organ-playing). In addition to this honor, Sowande was the recipient of the Harding Prize for organ-playing, the Limpus Prize for Theory, and the Read Prize for the highest aggregate marks in the fellowship examinations. Sowande received many honors during his lifetime. One of the most notable was conferred in 1956, when Queen Elizabeth II made Sowande a Member of the British Empire for distinguished service in the cause of music.

“Sadoh's book focuses primarily on Sowande''s work as an organ composer and the pervasive elements of culture (African, African-American, and European) contained in his works. The author begins by providing an historical background for the milieu in which Nigerian musicians, such as Sowande, developed. In order to do this, he discusses the political, social, and economic factors that were responsible for introducing western classical music to Nigeria. The significant role of the mission schools and colonial institutions in the musical development of Nigerian musicians is clearly highlighted, for these two sources played a major role in the formal education of Nigerians. It was the culmination of these forces that produced Sowande and other Nigerian musicians of the era. In Sowande, a world view was forged that would accompany him during his lifelong musical pursuits.”

“In speaking of Bankole, one can hardly refrain from citing similarities between the composer and his teacher, Fela Sowande; however, unlike Sowande, Ayo Bankole lived a rather short existence. His life came to a sudden and tragic end in 1976. Although he did not produce many works, Bankole was a man of considerable talent and promise. Had he survived, there is no telling what creations he may have given the world.

“Bankole's musical training was of African, English, and American origin. He was primarily an organist and pianist; consequently, it should come as no surprise that much of his compositional output centered on these instruments. His extraordinary skill as an organist is exemplified by his youthful selection as Assistant Organist of the Cathedral Church of Christ in Lagos, Nigeria. This tenure was soon followed by his appointment as Organ Scholar of Clare College at the University of Cambridge in London (1961-1964).” [Fela Sowande is profiled at AfriClassical.com]