EZIGBO NNE (Good Mother)

Author: Nwaeke, Udochukwu Theodore

Musical Analysis

Abstract
This paper explores Ezigbo Nne “Good Mother” by Nwaeke Udochukwu, a contemporary African art music piece that bridges indigenous Igbo musical traditions and Western classical compositional techniques. The study investigates six critical aspects of the work, identification and form, scale and mode, melodic structure, rhythmic organisation, text, and expressive dynamics. The analysis reveals how the composer effectively utilises African rhythmic complexity, pentatonic modal flavours, and a layered percussive texture while retaining Western formality and harmonic organisation. By doing so, the piece becomes a musical symbol of cultural hybridity, honouring motherhood while emphasising the relevance of African musical identity in contemporary composition. This critical engagement
contributes to the documentation and scholarly appreciation of African art music as a distinct, evolving genre. The analysis will be based on identification and forms, scale and mode, melodic structure of the music, rhythmic structure of the music, text of the music and dynamics or expression marks.

Keywords: Analysis, Composition, Tonal harmony, Cultural hybridity.

Introduction
African art music is a genre that has matured significantly through the creative efforts of composers seeking to blend Western classical traditions with African idioms. The genre emerged in the early 20th century and continues to evolve with composers like Joshua Uzoigwe, Akin Euba, and Sam Akpabot making notable contributions. These composers,
and their successors have often drawn on indigenous African elements such as rhythm, scale, instrumentation, and storytelling to create works that are both structurally refined and culturally expressive (Agawu, 2003; Omojola, 1995).

Ezigbo Nne, composed by Nwaeke Udochukwu in 2025, represents a continuation of this compositional tradition. The title, translated as Good Mother, immediately situates the work in a cultural context that values familial honour and maternal reverence. The composer employs a range of instruments, including trumpet, piano, and a variety of African
percussion, to convey themes of celebration, introspection, and honour. Through this analysis, we aim to reveal the intricate ways in which African musical characteristics are employed in the piece and how these elements coexist with Western stylistic features.

Copyright © 2025 The author retains the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.

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References

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Author

Nwaeke, Udochukwu Theodore