This disc is subtitled "Piano music by composers of African descent," and presents no fewer than six world premiere recordings. It provides a welcome glimpse into the workings of black composers resident both in Africa and beyond. The first five composers whose works we hear are all based in Africa itself. From there, we move to Cuba, Haiti, Guadeloupe, and the U.S.A.
Fred Onovwerosuoke (b.1960) Nigeria
Studies in African Rhythm (8:38)
1 Udje (1:23)
2 Jali (1:18)
3 Okoye (1:28)
4 Iroro (1:37)
5 Ayevwiomo (1:15)
6 Agbadza (1:25)
Robert Kwami (1954-2004) Ghana
7 January Dance (2:51)
Isak Roux (b.1959) South Africa
8 Preludes in African Rhythm - Township Guitar (5:25)
Bongani Ndodana (b.1975) South Africa
Flowers in Sand (9:51)
9 Part 1: After the First Rain (5:28)
10 Part 2: Colours in the Dunes (4:17)
Halim El Dabh (1921-2017) Egypt
11 Coma Dance (5:08)
Amadeo Roldan (1900-1939) Cuba
12 Preludio Cubano (1:51)
Ludovic Lamothe (1882-1953) Haiti
13 La Dangereuse (5:03)
Alain-Pierre Pradel (b.1949) Guadeloupe
14 Sept Pieces Creole - Pomme Cannelle (2:41)
Florence Price (1887-1953) USA
Dances in the Canebrakes (9:03)
15 Nimble Feet (2:14)
16 Tropical Noon (1:43)
17 Silk Hat and Walking Cane (2:30)
Wallace Cheatham (b.1946) USA
Three Preludes (5:08)
18 Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho (0:52)
19 Poor Mourner's Got a Home (1:43)
20 My Lord Didn't It Rain (2:30)
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (1932-2004) USA
21 Toccata (2:35)
"I thoroughly enjoy this. The program is well chosen, with lots of variety. Anyone who has had it with pianists playing and recording the same repertory over and over should be delighted by the treasure trove of (mostly) pre-mieres. The 11 composers whose works are offered here are not known quantities in our country, but they should be. These kinetic pieces easily get under one's skin and they sound like they are fun to play." Nyaho's way of finding the threads that connect it all is a kind of virtuosity in itself. -Swap a CD
"This disc is subtitled 'piano music by composers of African descent,' and presents no fewer than six world premiere recordings. It provides a welcome glimpse into the workings of black composers resident both in Africa and beyond... A Want List candidate.