Ennanga: II.

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

Melody/Phrase/Timbre: The composer strategically distributes the melodic material between the harp, piano, and strings with each new section, in a way that gives the piece a refreshing type of variety throughout the movement. Listen for where the melody travels in this movement!

Minor Tonality: A Natural Minor

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