Keresimesi Alayo for Cello Solo

Keresimesi Alayo (Joyful Christmas) for Cello Solo was composed in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. I was motivated and inspired to compose this gem because of the growing number of my cellist friends, especially on Facebook. Hence, this piece is dedicated to them to add to their Christmas repertoire. The theme of the piece is based on an original Yoruba Christmas song written by me. The text of the song simply translates, "Christmas is here, Christmas is here, festival of money, festival of joy. Christmas is here. The son of God is born in Bethlehem. Christmas is here." It is referred to as a festival of money, because like in the United States and around the world, it is a season of spending money through buying things, food, clothes, shoes, and gifts for loved ones. Of course, it is a season of joy because it is the most wonderful time of the year. Everybody seems to be in a happy mood, and excited to celebrate Christmas in Nigeria. It is a very festive season among the Yoruba in southwest Nigeria. People will celebrate Christmas with their family, friends, and loved ones. Everybody is happy during Christmas in Nigeria. The principal theme is stated at the beginning of the piece after the short rhythmic introduction, modified, developed, reversed, augmented, accentuated with double and triple stops, bounces between the lower and upper registers, and transitions through the keys of C and D major. Dramatic nuances are interjected with moments of silence, staccatos, alternation of pizzicato with arco sections, diverse articulation marks, and contrasting sections colored with various shades of dynamic marks. It is an exciting and captivating piece to celebrate the Yuletide.