Nigerian classical music composer, Dr Ededwede Oriwoh, composes mainly “liturgical music, hymns, solos, duets, anthems, and instrumentals”. She created the African Composers Database website in 2018. This represents African composers “in their own words”, rather than misrepresenting them through the perspective of Westerners. Dr Oriwoh has composed choral works in a number of languages, including Latin, English, Hausa, and Esan (languages of Nigeria). Her works have been performed across the globe, in countries such as Italy, Great Britain, the USA, and Nigeria.
Dr Oriwoh’s short piece “Play” was performed by the Ensemble Chaminade in December, 2018. It was part of the L’Altra Meta Della Musica (The Other Half of Music) at the Women Composers’ Conference. At this event, Dr Oriwoh took part in a discussion about women composers’ inspirations, experiences, hopes, and concerns, alongside a panel of other female composers. Her works are listed in the Compendium Musicae Flauta, which contains flute (or flute-related) compositions by more than 2,500 women composers.
Here’s a clip of Dr Oriwoh’s Baba, Ese:
If you want to hear Dr Oriwoh speak about her musical career, listen to this BBC 3 Counties Radio (Beds, Herts, and Bucks) podcast:
References:
This Temple by E ORIWOH (soundcloud.com)
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