Music of Africa and the African Diaspora: William Chapman Nyaho, PianoSeptember 29, 2019 at 3:30–5 p.m.

The Department of Music presents visiting artist William Chapman Nyaho, piano. The program features piano works from Africa and African Diaspora.

About the performer:

William Chapman Nyaho is an active concert pianist performing as a soloist and chamber musician around the world. Appearances include soloing with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, as well as featured segments on NPR's Performance Today.

Chapman Nyaho's solo CD SENKU: Piano Music by Composers of African Descent, a ground-breaking compilation of music of the African Diaspora, was recently choreographed by the Tony Award winning Garth Fagan. Senku was named one of the "Best of the Year" by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which called it "altogether enthralling . . . this music deserves a regular place on concert programs." Gramophone Magazine said, "Nyaho's gripping performances kept my ears glued to this disc . . . Let's hope the pianist continues to explore and record more such commanding repertoire." Dr. Maya Angelou wrote that it holds "moments of discovery so delicious that the listeners will be made to laugh out loud and to compliment not just Dr. Chapman Nyaho, but themselves at their good fortune in finding these composers and this pianist."