Three Miniatures on Nigerian Folk Songs

The Three Miniatures is written for clarinet in B-flat, violin, and flute with piano accompaniment. In this work, the African worldview of the symbolism of the number three is enmeshed in the creative process of the music. From the three pieces to the cascading of tonal centers from C major, to A major, and the last movement in F major. The first movement is based on a popular Yoruba folk song titled, "Olurombi." The second movement in the key of A major is built on a Yoruba Christian song, "Ise Oluwa ko le baje" (The Work of the Lord is indestructible). The last piece, "Iya Ni Wura Iyebiye" (Mother is a priceless jewel), is also a derivation of another popular Yoruba folk song. All the three movements are actually a re-setting of pieces from another major composition of mine titled, Childhood Dreams for Piano Solo.