Selections from In Dahomey
When In Dahomey premiered on Broadway in 1904, it was the first musical written and performed by African Americans that had ever appeared on Broadway. During its three year run, from 1902 to 1905, it was performed over 1,100 times all over the United States and in Europe. The music, which was largely composed by Will Marion Cook, is a rich gumbo of ragtime and late romanticism. Selections from In Dahomey includes four pieces from the musical.
Title: Selections from In Dahomey
Composer: Will Marion Cook. Arranged by Tim Berens
Description: Selections from In Dahomey includes the following pieces from In Dahomey:
Introduction
Governors Entrance
On Emancipation Day
The Czar
Waltz from Society
Emancipation Day reprise
Selections from In Dahomey (Dahomey sounds like “da show me”) begins with the introduction to the show’s overture. It is rhythmic and dance like, with a mysterious, but recognizable harmony. Governors Entrance is driven by a low, steady primal rhythm, its chant-like Dorian mode melody announcing the arrival of the Governors. On Emancipation Day is a joyous ragtime piece about the Emancipation Day celebrations that were common in many cities after the Civil War ended. The Czar is an upbeat, jaunty tune about a gentleman very high up in society. Waltz from Society is a lovely melody with rich harmonies, set in a style that would be at home in an opera by Bizet. A reprise of the joyous Emancipation Day finishes the piece, this time with more compelling second line drums to propel the piece home.
Much of the plot of the musical In Dahomey takes place in the country of Dahomey, which was a kingdom in West Africa that lasted from 1600 until 1904. It is also the country in which the movie The Woman King is set.
Instrumentation: 3333/4331/Timp+2/Banjo/Piano/Strings
Length: 5:15
Rental Fee: $300.00 first performance. $100.00 per subsequent performance.
Video and Audio Recording by:
The Ohio Valley Symphony
Tim Berens, Conductor
