Pianoing Round The World G

G is for ? Happy 2025! Catch our piano and "Pianoing Round the World." Guess where we are!?
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Updated 2/8
G is for Ghana!
We find ourselves in a Ghanaian village where the entire community feels like family. Their genuine expressions of joy deeply move us as they come together to dance and make music. In this culture, music and dance are inseparable; they are vital aspects of life, serving as both language and expression. They are present in every facet of life and at every stage, from celebrations and ceremonies to pounding grains and even stamping at the post office. It’s no surprise that in Ewe, a language spoken in Ghana, the word "wu" means both "music" and "dance."
*Piece Title: Atwimu (July 20, 1946)
*Composer: Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia (1921-2019), Ghanaian
We owe much to the composer J. H. Kwabena Nketia, a distinguished ethnomusicologist born and raised in Mampong, Ghana. He brought this vibrant scene to life for us, dedicating his career to preserving traditional Ghanaian music and culture. Nketia published over 200 scholarly works and created 42 musical compositions that blended traditional African materials with Western musical styles, significantly enhancing the global appreciation of African music. He held esteemed positions as a professor of music at the University of Ghana, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Atwimu refers to a style of many traditional dances and music in Ghana. In this brief piano piece by Nketia, the rhythmic shifts alternate between groups of two and three, reflecting the dance gestures with a hint of polyrhythms typical of African musical traditions. It is captivating due to its soulful, call-like singing, responded by spirited and rhythmic drumming. The repetition of the melody emphasizes the communal aspect of music-making in Ghanaian social gatherings. However, Nketia skillfully varies each repetition by introducing multiple voices and subtle harmonic changes. Towards the end, we hear phrases resembling a church choir that evoke European influences on Ghanaian religious life.
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2025 Round The World Itinerary:
*G Arrival (Hear the music) 2/1; Departure (Read updates about what we've learned here) 2/8
*H 2/15~2/22
*I 3/1~3/8
*J 3/15~3/22
*K, L, M 4/26 Our Polyphonic World chamber music live concert ourpolyphonicw...
In 2024, we've "traveled" to Australia, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, and Egypt while also looking out at the world from France! Pianoing Round The World project is a passport to hear and feel cultures, and a musical journey to embrace uniqueness and shared stories among all of us.