Souls of Alkebulan

James Lee III

2012

Piano

I intended that Souls of Alkebulan would be part of a set of piano pieces that would display imagined African rhythms and memories from Africa's past. Alkebulan is the indigenous name for the continent of Africa. It has been known to mean "Cradle of Civilization", "Land of the Blacks", and "Mother of Mankind." The first piece Vitality of Kemet evokes the wonderful civilization of ancient Egypt. Thus particular piece has a variety of rhythmic motives that are a musical commentary on some of ancient Egypt's brilliant civilization. The second piece, Memories of Axum references the ancient empire of Axum in northern Ethiopia. It was also an important trading nation. The quintal chords that are set with pleasant minor second dissonances are a salute to this kingdom of the ancient world. Heart of Kalimba utilizes a melodic and rhythmic motive that one might hear played on a kalimba (thumb piano). These melodies eventually grow into very expressive passages of material that sing in celebration of everyday life. The opening measures of Lost Treasures is based off of the Ethiopian Ambassel scale, which is a type of hexatonic scale construct. This particular piece is a sort of lamentation that reflects over the past few centuries. The final piece of this set, Warrior Dance, celebrates the storytelling of tribal leaders and others. These stories of then are reenactments of various important historical events of an enemy or a successful hunt. This piece also alludes to cross rhythms characteristic of much of my latest interests in non-musical materials as sources of inspiration. Souls of Alkebulan is dedicated to my wife Adneia Alves Lee.