African Rhapsodies (A Work for Kora & Symphonic Orchestra)

Featuring

Mark Heron
Seckou Keita
BBC Concert Orchestra

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Recording & Production

The album was recorded live with the BBC Concert Orchestra over two days in December 2021 at Watford Colosseum, a venue known for its unique acoustics.

Compositional Technique

Composer Seckou Keita and arranger Davide Mantovani experimented with new tunings for the kora to extend its range, as it is not a fully chromatic instrument.

Cultural Impact

This project aims to break with the tradition of kora music being exclusively for nobility, bringing the kora and its music to the widest possible audience.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Seckou Keita, the kora player and composer, aimed to integrate the kora into the classical world by having it converse with the orchestra, rather than merely accompanying it.

Interpretation

Seckou Keita intentionally left space in the arrangements for improvisation by himself and other soloists, blending written and oral traditions to create unique performances.

Compositional Technique

The arrangements for this album were designed to fully integrate the kora with the orchestra, allowing different sections and the kora to share melodies and roles.

Composer Biography

Seckou Keita, a UK-based kora player, composer, singer, and percussionist from Senegal, has released 12 albums and received numerous awards, including 'Musician of the year' at the 2019 BBC Folk Music Awards.