The British are Coming!
Donald Macleod explores the roots of Nigerian art music, from traditional tunes to missionary-led churches, with Alexander Douglas.
Donald Macleod begins a week on Fela Sowande and Nigerian art music by tracing its roots in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Nigeria. With Alexander Douglas, he explores the impact of European missionary education, the introduction of Western musical training, and the tensions this created with indigenous traditions. The programme follows how Nigerian musicians responded, from the 're‑Africanisation' of church music led by figures such as Josiah Ransome‑Kuti to the emergence of a new art-music tradition in Lagos. Alongside this story, we hear music shaped by both worlds, from piano works drawing on traditional drumming to Sowande’s blending of spirituals and Yoruba materials.
Music featured:
High Life
Fela Sowande
Talking Drums
Joshua Uzoigwe
William Chapman Nyaho, piano
Go Down Moses
Fela Sowande
Kevin Bowyer, organ
Obángíjì Iwo Lo to Sìn
Josiah Ransome‑Kuti, voice
African Suite: I-III
Fela Sowande
CBC Vancouver Orchestra
Mario Bernardi, conductor
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales & West.
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Music Played
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Fela Sowande
High Life
Orchestra: Orchestra.- CARLTON.
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Joshua Uzoigwe
Talking Drums
Performer: William Chapman Nyaho.- MSR CLASSICS.
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Fela Sowande
Go Down Moses
Performer: Kevin Bowyer.- PRIORY.
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Josiah Ransome-Kuti
Obángíjì Iwo Lo to Sìn
Singer: Josiah Ransome-Kuti.- BEAR FAMILY RECORDS.
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Fela Sowande
African Suite (1st - 3rd mvts)
Orchestra: CBC Radio Orchestra. Conductor: Mario Bernardi.- CBC.
Broadcast
- Monday16:00BBC Radio 3
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