New South Africa

SKU: AP.1-ADV6007

UPC: 805095060072. English.

South Africa was originally written to feature the texture of the soprano saxophone with viola, the performance can be adapted to other instruments as indicated on the score or others within the written range. Although the piece is not specifically influenced by African music, it is dedicated to Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison. The writing alternates between counter and synchronized lines---the same is true for other pairings such as dissonance/consonance, changing tempos, and dynamics. The challenge is to get the piece to flow through these many shifts of texture. Towards the conclusion there is some space (optional) for improvising using the suggested written notes and intervals as the source material for both instruments.

SKU: GI.G-8801

UPC: 785147880103. Sotho, Yoruba. Text Source: 1. Sotho folk song, 2. Yoruba (Nigerian) song.

1. Mangwani mpulele is a Sotho folk song of the Bantu people in South Africa, Lesotho, and Botswana. It was made popular in the United States by The Kingston Trio, a prominent part of the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s. One rendering of the text into English has: Aunt, open the door for me. I am getting wet with rain. Whether it’s here or whether it’s there, I am getting wet with rain. 2. Ise oluwa is a well-known Yoruba (Nigerian) Christian song that was made widely popular by the African American singing group Sweet Honey in the Rock. It was first arranged (or perhaps composed) by Thomas Ekundayo Phillips (1884–1969), the “father” of Nigerian church music, when he was organist and choir director at the Anglican cathedral in Lagos, Nigeria. The translation of the text is: The works of God cannot be undone. Improvised percussion should be played throughout both songs, intensifying where percussion fills are indicated. Appropriate instruments include: djembe (or low-sounding hand drums), shekeres, agogo bells, or gourd rattles. SA voices with improvised percussion.