African Suite: V. Akinla

Program Note: "Sowande’s African Suite for string orchestra was composed at this time and broadcast on BBC radio in 1944. 

According to the composer’s notes, movements one and three, titled “Joyful Day” and “Onipe,” borrow themes from Ghanian composer E. Amu and movements four and five (“Lullaby” and “Akinla”) feature traditional Nigerian melodies. 

Sowande travelled to the United States several times in the late 1950s and 1960s, performing and lecturing, and finally moved to the US permanently in 1968, when he joined the faculty at Howard University." - Dr. William E. Runyan

Theme and Variation: (Click below to hear any of these sections on their own)
Intro - Harmonized Accompaniment
A - 0:22 Pizzicato Accompaniment, melody in C Major
B - 0:50 Triplet Accompaniment
C - Harp Accompaniment, Violin melody in F Major
D - 1:38 Harp Accompaniment, Viola melody in Bb Major
E - 1:53 Pizzicato Accompaniment, Viola back in G Major
F - 2:30 Violins in Harmony
Coda - 3:06 Triplet Figures

Melody / Solfege / Theme: Notated below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PERKbiARzqd58_Q9CtBxghe5ARjJR_Y5/view?usp=sharing 

Imitation: The main melody is passed around the orchestra throughout the piece. Listen to the entire piece, and follow where it goes!