African Pianism Man

Available for 29 days

Donald Macleod turns to Akin Euba, a composer whose work reshaped ideas about African art music. With Alexander Douglas, he traces Euba’s journey from Lagos to London and the United States, where encounters with different musical traditions sharpened his sense of identity as a composer. His music moves beyond simple fusion, exploring new ways of structuring sound and performance. The concept of 'African pianism' emerges: using the piano to evoke the textures and rhythms of traditional music while opening up new possibilities for composition. Alongside his work as a composer, Euba played a central role in building institutions and shaping musical thought, both in Nigeria and internationally. Three Yoruba Songs Without Words: I–III Akin Euba Rebeca Omordia, piano Abdelkader Saadoun, percussion Scenes from Traditional Life Akin Euba Max Lifchitz, piano Six Yoruba Folk Songs Akin Euba Omo Bello, soprano Rebeca Omordia, piano Richard Olatunde Baker, talking drum Study in African Jazz 3 Akin Euba Eric Moe, piano Igba Kerin Akin Euba William Chapman Nyaho, piano Igba Kinni Akin Euba William Chapman Nyaho, piano Wakar Duru: 1, 2 and 4 Akin Euba Rebeca Omordia, piano Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales & West.