FELA SOWANDE African Suite , III . Lullaby
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Born 1905 in Abeokuta , Nigeria ; died 1987 in Ravenna , Ohio
• Sowande ’ s father was a priest and pioneer of Nigerian church music . Sowande grew up singing in his church choir . He went on to study at King ’ s College in Lagos and received a Fellowship Diploma from the Royal College of Organists . He also worked as a band leader performing popular music and jazz .
• In 1934 , Sowande went to London to continue his studies . While there he played in a piano duo with Fats Waller , served as theatre organist for the BBC , and was choirmaster at Kingsway Hall . He also served as musical advisor to the Ministry of Information , providing background music for educational films .
• In 1968 , Sowande moved to the U . S ., where he would spend the remainder of his years . He taught at Howard University , Northwestern University , Princeton University , University of Pittsburgh , and Kent State University .
• Sowande is remembered as the father of modern Nigerian Art Music .
THE WORLD AT A GLANCE
1944
MUSIC Duke Ellington ’ s “ Do Nothin ’ Till You Hear from Me ”
GEOLOGY The last eruption of Mount Vesuvius
FUN FACT
When Sowande moved to London , his original intent was to study civil engineering before settling on music .
ART Frida Kahlo ’ s Diego and Frida
ABOUT THE PIECE
• Sowande composed his African Suite in 1944 . The work combines well-known West African melodies with European methods .
• This movement , Lullaby , is based on an original folk melody . The work was originally broadcast by the BBC to occupied colonies in Africa .
HISTORY The Afghan tribal revolts of 1944 – 1947
16 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA