Pathos in the structure of Laz Ekwueme’s Choral Music: Hombe

Abstract

Studies have covered analysis in Western and African compositions to include a detailed description of the arrangement of every segment of the music. However, less structural analysis has ventured into the pathos of the arrangement of the musical segments. Engaging in the pathos of the structure of Laz Ekwueme’s choral music (Hombe) will bring to limelight how musical structure enhances emotions and psychological feelings. Methodology relies on analysing the musical elements explored in the composition and close score reading of Hombe using structural analysis model. The result shows that Ekwueme employed the Western four-part chorus arrangement as an ornamental device to establishing the diverse African music elements such as repetition of thematic idea in all parts for emphasis, syncopation, varied tempo and shifting accents and tonality thereby enhancing varied moments of emotions, affects and excitement. The paper concludes that the arrangement of different segments of Hombe created moments of extraordinary pathos evoking different emotions and psychological feelings. Musical structure is thus a compositional device with the power to evoke feelings thereby creating a characteristic pattern of a musical style.