Ennanga: III.
William Grant StillPiece Duration: 5:01
About this Piece
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
Ennanga Table of Contents:
Movement I.
Movement II.
Movement III.
Notable Passages
Description:
The chords heard in this movement are most prominently heard in the harp, at the beginning of the piece!
Keywords: Chords
Description:
Suggested Activity: Timbre - Split the room into three groups (Harp, Strings, and Piano). Listen to the recording, and when the instrument belonging to your group plays, raise your hand high!
Keywords: Timbre - Instruments