Introduction

Hello World!

Over the past while I have delved deep into two seemingly different world of music: 17^th Century Classical Music and West African Agbekor Music. Seems like quite a vast difference doesn’t it? Well, while the two styles do have many differences I have found that they also share many similarities, namely their ternary (ABA) form. Perhaps it would be best to start by giving you some context to the two pieces I analyzed so that you know more about their origins.

Introduction to Classical Music

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Characteristics of the Classical Style
• Contrast of Mood
• Fluctuations in mood
• Contrasting themes
• Rhythm
• Flexibility of rhythm à variety
• Includes unexpected pauses, syncopations, frequent changes from long to short notes
• Texture
• Mostly homophonic
• Flexible textures à changes at different part of the piece
• Melody
• Tuneful, easy to remember
• Balanced and symmetrical
• Made up of 2 phrases of same length
• 2^nd phrase ends conclusively
• Easy to sing
• Dynamics and the Piano
• Gradual dynamic changes (crescendo, decrescendo)
• Replacement of harpsichord by piano
• The End of the Basso Continuo
• No need to improvise accompaniment
• Composers had more control
• The Classical Orchestra
• New orchestra
• Strings: violins, violas, cellos, double basses
• Woodwinds: flutes, clarinets, bassoons
• Brass: French horns, trumpets
• Percussion: timpani
• Greater number of musicians than in Baroque
• Strings most important section
• Melody most of the time
• Woodwinds: contrasting tone colours, melodic solos
• Horns and trumpet: power, filled out harmony
• Timpani: rhythmic bite, emphasis
• Classical Forms
• Compositions consist of several movements that contrast in tempo and character
• Often 4 movements:
• 1. Fast movement
• 2. Slow movement
• 3. Dance-related movement
• 4. Fast movement
• Symphonies
• Written for orchestra
• 4 movements
• String quartet
• Written for 2 violins, viola, cello
• 4 movements
• Sonata
• Written for 1 or 2 instruments
• 2, 3, or 4 movements

Introduction to Agbekor Music: The Music of the Ewe People

In West Africa, specifically in the nation-states of Ghana and Togo, there is a type of singing and drumming called Agbekor (pronounced ah-gbeh-kaw). The music usually features a chorus of singers and a percussion ensemble. The songs are usually call and answer. The origins of Agbekor are very mystical: according to elders, the music is derived from a monkey’s dance. Legend tells of hunters using special herbs to meet and talk with animals that eat human beings. They would then bring back their experience through the convoluted messages in Agbekor.

Originally, Agbekor was used to announce war and prepare warriors for battles but also to recount heroic actions taken in battle. This type of Agbekor used to be called Atamuga (ah-tam-gah), meaning “the Great Oath” but was changed to Agbekor when the Anlo people no longer went to war. Some elders claim that the meaning of Agbekor is to enjoy life. Agbekor is often accompanied by cheerful dancing which would also signify appreciation for life. The word itself is a compound of two: agbe meaning “life” and kor meaning “clear” which together translates to “clear life” referring to the clean slate after war is passed.

Most Ewe music and dance is learned through enculturation however, Agbekor is requires special training. The training process is very slow and requires the musicians to partake in different activities at different parts in his or her life. They must observe other performances and learn from them. Contrary to other music which is often taught in theory first, Agbekor is taught purely through experience. Large ensembles work together and grow as a whole.

The piece I have chosen to analyse is the three slow-paced songs at the beginning of the recording Agbekor on track 15 of CD 1 of Worlds of Music. The track is 2 minutes and 52 seconds in length.