Audio of KOPN's "Speaking of the Arts"

Enjoy the lively conversation with Odyssey director Ayako Tsuruta and composer Fred Onovwerosuoke about his Two Piano Sonata No. 3 that is actually composed for a symphony. "Raging River Dance" is colorful and catchy, it also appears in his other works, as Piano Etude No. 24.

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The journey of getting acquainted with African art music and learning FredO's energetic two-piano sonata has been a wonderful experience to say the least. While Peter Miyamoto and I toil to bring the last movement up to speed, I am reminded of the time Hungarian composer Bartók was inspired by and infused folk songs into his compositions into formal art forms such as sonatas and rhapsodies. FredO works in a similar manner, but I feel his work is more honest - there is no embellishments in these movements, but rather just intense emotions and perpetual movement with an interval know as 'Incantation" in the second movement. 

FredO's Sonata No. 3 for two pianos opens with a magnificent fanfare of brass. I have not (yet) seen the symphonic score, but I am betting that's exactly how it is scored: A call for all humanity, of sheer magnificent energy. 

I hope you enjoy the concert next Thursday (Jefferson City) and Friday (Columbia)!

Sincerely,
​Ayako

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Excerpt to Two Pianos, III: Raging River Dance

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