Ennanga: I.

Ensemble / Septet: Harp, Strings, and Piano

Program Note Excerpt: "The 'ennanga' is an “arched harp” associated with the music of East Africa; its origins apparently stretch back to ancient Egypt. [Listen to the instrument in this video!] 

In [William Grant Still's] 1956 Ennanga for Harp and Orchestra, he evoked both the traditional African instrument and its culture. The first and third movements, dance-like and buoyant, call to mind not so much a distant continent as Still’s vibrant African American musical heritage. The second movement is touching and nostalgic, a song of remembrance or, perhaps, of a lost love." - Dr. Richard E. Rodda

Motif/Rhythmic Pattern/Syncopation: The motif in this movement is notated at this link in brackets. Clap the rhythm, sing it, and then listen for it in the recording!

Pentatonic Scale: The movement’s melodic material utilizes a pentatonic scale! (Note: Some harmonic decisions made in the accompaniment utilize pitches outside of the pentatonic scale)

Ternary Form:
-A 0:00
-B 1:49
-A’ 6:07

Ennanga Table of Contents:
Movement I.
Movement II.
Movement III.