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donno ntoaso

from time changes by blood drum spirit

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2 donno ntoaso 5:23 © 2015 royal hartigan; rhythmic structure based on the fɔntɔmfrɔm and kɛtɛ music of the asante people of west africa, © the asante people

this piece is based on two traditional asante royal court drumming styles, fɔntɔmfrɔm and kɛtɛ. the fɔntɔmfrɔm ensemble is led by two voices: two huge deep-toned bomaa drums in conversation with the double atumpan drums. the kɛtɛ ensemble is led by the large kwadum deep-toned drum. The lead drums in each ensemble are accompanied by support drums, iron bells, and in kɛtɛ, a gourd rattle, ntrowa. our arrangement highlights these drum conversations as a foundation for improvisations. it begins with the bomaa-atumpan dialogues in the fɔntɔmfrɔm atopiretia section adapted between bass drum and the donno double-headed, string-tension, hourglass-shaped drum, with high hat adding another layer of time. atopiretia music relates to war and funerals and is often danced by chiefs. our performance gradually moves to kɛtɛ kwadum patterns for akɔkɔnɔ beteɛ reflected on donno, accompanied by a bass drum heartbeat and the ntrowa gourd rattle voice on high hat. akɔkɔnɔ beteɛ expresses the inner meaning that people who appear weak can have unseen strengths.

a final piano-drum duo centers on the donno expression of an asante invocation traditionally played on the atumpan master drums. it begins with yɛɛ sua mɔma yɛ hunu, ‘we are learning, let us know and play well,’ played 3 times and followed by tweneboa kodua, (name of a person); ɔ brempong, ‘distinguished person’; da mirifa due, (i am) ‘sorry for your troubles’; da mirifa due, da mirifa due due, due due ni, ne amania hunu, ‘…. suffering’; ɔ brempong, ‘distinguished person’; ye mawo akwaaba, ‘welcome.’ a dawuro, kofi, ‘dawuro (player), kofi (friday-born man’s day name)’; mawo homereso, ‘get ready’; kumu brebre, ‘play with your innermost being.’

its inner meaning is ‘we are sad to endure life’s troubles, hardships, and pain, going through life until death.’ and extended, playing through life with your/our deepest being.

wes, art, and david have performed ghanaian music over decades, and hear its deep structures, connecting these voices to an african american blues and gospel feel.

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from time changes, track released February 5, 2019
(C) royal hartigan 2015; rhythmic structure based on the rhythmic structure of the fontomfrom and kete music of the asante people of ghana; (C) the asante people

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