Stevenson - A Ghanaian Folk-Song Suite

[@pianothingsmusic]

Intriguing music, Chris!! Sounds awesome 👏🏻

[@ChrisBreemer]

Thanks ! It's something different indeed, is it not ? I can't honestly think of a more fascinating composer than Ronald Stevenson. His range of interests and inspiration were as awesome as his keyboard mastery.

[@Amethyst_Friend]

Great stuff. It's quite jazzy, isn't it?

[@ChrisBreemer]

Thanks for listening and commenting ! Yes it is quite jazzy now that you mention it. Not surprising given the African roots of jazz.

[@RileyTuckerMusic]

Bravo, Chris. I enjoyed this set a lot, it doesn't take long to listen to this complete set, but clearly the composer has packed a lot into almost seven minutes.

[@ChrisBreemer]

Yes it's an intriguing set. Very compact and intense, with beautiful melodies. I must see if I can find the original Ghanaian songs.

[@grahamtwist]

Impressive playing, Chris: bravo. The rhythmic drive is engaging, but the harmonic language is a little stark for me. As another commentator mentions, it is intriguing music.

[@ChrisBreemer]

Thank you ! I'm surprised to hear the harmonic language is somewhat outside your comfort zone. I have that with some Stevenson works (which I consequently do not play) but this one is quite mellow I think.

[@Amethyst_Friend]

Hi there. Can you explain to a layperson what you mean by the harmonic language being stark?

[@grahamtwist]

That's a challenge! In music, I suppose 'harmony' is where combined notes sound 'pleasing' (I know, highly subjective!) or tally with what we have grown accustomed to interpreting as 'pleasing' in the western cultural tradition (which does not include the dissonant, atonal music of the last 100 years!). By 'stark', I mean the harmonic language in this music is a little 'empty' of those notes that are found in a lot of western music that is considered harmonious. I did not intend my comment to be negatively critical; rather, I experienced the music as having harmonic language which is different to the 'norm'. And if that explanation is inadequate, my apologies!