Stylistic Diversity in the Musical Compositions of J.H. Nketia

Musical compositions with idioms are often created out of the kind of social experiences and influences that a composer goes through in life and which to a large extent distinguishes one composer from the other. These interactions and experiences aredrawn from two distinct factors: first, that part of the composition which embodies the fullest and deepest expression of himself as a man with artistic and aesthetic endowment, and second, that part dealing with his experiences as a social being (making use of the interactions and resources around him). This article seeks to examine how J.H.Kwabena Nketia has successfully been able to utilise these social influences and interactions in his compositions. It highlights the extent of inclusion of divers traditional idioms merged with Western musical systems and their application. It isworth noting, however, that Nketia’s compositions unveils a variety of stylistic inspirations through the exploit of both Western and African elements extensively that identify his stylistic diversity in his compositions. It is important that the African children who learn music are introduced to African musical concepts in order to enrich or diversify their repertoire within a tradition desirable to them.

Keywords: Diversity, composition, J.H. K. Nketia, African music