Composers

J. H. Kwabena Nketia

1921 - 2019

About

Ghanaian composer, musicologist, and educator J. H. Kwabena Nketia received early musical training in Ghana and studied piano, musicology, and composition at various institutions such as Birkeck College, University of London, Trinity College of Music, Columbia University, Julliard School of Music, and Northwestern University.

Nketia returned to teach at the University of Ghana and became Director of the Institute of African Studies. He also taught at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh. Nketia advocated a contemporary compositional technique, a fusion between folk and contemporary music. He has transcribed several traditional songs, has composed several choral works, and has written extensively for Western instruments, traditional African instruments, and a combination of both.

Related Information

Piano music of Africa and the Diaspora vol 2

Works by J. H. Kwabena Nketia

Title Work Instrumentation Level Number of Movements Accompanied Size Duration Range
Builsa Work Song Piano Intermediate 1 No Solo
Volta Fantasy Piano Intermediate 1 No Solo