IYA (Mother)

Author: Amole, Blessing Amos (Ph.D.)

Musical Analysis

The music “Iya” began with a four-bar introduction played by the piano. This piece, a code mix of Yoruba and English, was performed as an opera in a concert organised by Blessamoss Music School in Owerri, with the theme “Minstrel sings Mysteries”.

A young man was seen on the stage, prostrating before his mother, eulogising her name – this can be found in bars 5 to 28.

He started recounting his mother’s kind deeds through different stages of his life- from pregnancy, to birth, infancy, adolescence, and to adulthood. He sincerely appreciated his mother’s kindness – this can be found in bar 29 to bar 48.

This young man, who was also the soloist, pronounced “Iya” in a melismatic way from bar 49 to bar 56. He also sang with emotion that led to a partial modulation to minor (G minor) in bar 57 to bar 68. He ended the song by congratulating his mother with a gift, from bar 69 to bar 93.

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References

Agu, D.C.C (2011), Form and Analysis of African Music. Enugu: New Generation Books.
Agu, D.C.C (2024), Theory, Practice Form and Analysis of African Music: Awka: Ojadili Publishing.
Blessing Amole, (2024), Minstrel Sings Mysteries. Owerri: Panoptic Wand Global Service.

Author

Amole, Blessing Amos (Ph.D.)