Rebeca Omordia: African Pianism

Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman

Concert pianist Rebeca Omordia, has just released her second African Pianism album, volume 2, which was just named Editor’s Choice in the Gramophone Magazine, and it is a fascinating and beautiful kaleidoscope of piano works from West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and East Africa. Rebeca spoke to me about her extensive research about these composers, varied styles, and the different traditional music traditions which are often at the heart of this music. We talked about her experiences growing up in Romania with a Romanian mother and a Nigerian father. Now based in London, Rebeca spoke to me about The African Concert Series at Wigmore Hall, and many of her collaborations, including with Errollyn Wallen whose Piano Concerto, written for Rebeca Omordia, is featured in this podcast along with excerpts from several of the works on the African Pianism album, volume 2.

Like all my episodes, you can watch this on my YouTube channel or listen to the podcast on all the platforms, and I’ve also linked the transcript to my website https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/rebeca-omordia-african-pianism

Rebeca Omordia website and recordings: https://www.rebecaomordia.com/recordings

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Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:50) African Pianism, Akin Euba

(05:41) Wakar Duru: Study in African Pianism number 1 by Akin Euba

(10:30) childhood in Romania, deportation and return

(20:50) Florence Price

(22:40) excerpt from Fantaisie Nègre by Price

(24:46) encouraging women composers in Africa, Rebeca’s identity in Africa

(27:11) Salim Dada Algerian composer

(31:14) excerpt from Soirée au Hogarr by Salim Dada

(33:05) about Salim Dad’s Crépuscule sur la baie d'Alger, with an excerpt

(35:36) African Concert Series

(38:13) different ways you can help this podcast continue

(39:06) Delius Prize, duo with Julian Lloyd Weber, book about John Ireland

(42:50) duo with South African bass soloist Leon Bosch

(46:36) about Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto

(50:12) last movement of Errollyn Wallen’s Piano Concerto

(52:55) family legacy in music, Nigerian grandfather

(57:03) experience of nerves, performing from memory

(01:01:12) Ethiopian composer Girma Yifrashewa

(01:03:43) excerpt from Elilta - Cry of Joy by Girma Yifrashewa

(01:05:21) next projects, Omo Bello

(01:07:51) childhood music exposure in Romania

(01:09:41) advice about self-care

photo of Rebeca Omordia: Fourchiefs Media