AFRICAN PIANISM

African classical music - pioneering work

Pianist Rebeca Omordia has dedicated her career promoting and reviving African art music. She has worked to bring composers from the African continent to greater prominence through her work and her recordings, project that has gained international recognition. In 2019 she launched the world’s first ever African Concert Series in London with the aim of creating a platform for African classical music to be performed. African pianism is a style of piano music that blends African and European elements, it involves adapting African musical idioms, such as the rhythmic procedures of percussion or traditional vocal music, to the piano. Composers of the 20th century Schools of African art music draw on both traditional and popular African music, creating a diverse repertoire. African Pianism described by The Guardian as “wild and shimmering piano gems” is a fascinating kaleidoscope of piano works from West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and East Africa.

Performances:

Rebeca has performed African Pianism recitals in world’s venues, in the UK at Wigmore Hall, Cheltenham Town Hall, Barbican Hall, Cambridge University, and at festivals including Ryedale and Leicester International Festivals, Little Missenden festival and Nottingham Chamber Music Festival; and abroad at Manarat Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi (UAE), at Sociedad Filarmonica de Gran Canaria (Spain), for the Phillips Collection, Washington D.C., Onassis Stegi in Athens, Greeceandon a tour of South Africa featuring performances at Cape Town Concert Series and Linder Auditorium, Johannesburg.

Albums:

Rebeca’s first album “EKELE” (Heritage Records, 2018) was described as “Skilfully compiled and beautifully performed” (BBC Music Magazine) and “Appealing and pioneering in equal measure” (Gramophone). Three albums on SOMM Recordings, including “African Pianism” (SOMM Records, 2022) described as a “a real ear-opener” (Presto Music) and “richly rewarding music” (Gramophone), African Pianism, Volume 2 featuring no less than 8 premiere recordings, named by The Times as “one of the best albums of 2024”; African Art Song with soprano Omordia Bello, highly reviewed by the BBC Music Magazine “Omordia’s inventive programme celebrates both the heritage and future of African art song”.