Kenneth Kafui

Kenneth Kwaku Avotri Kafui was a Ghanaian composer and one of the leading figures in African art music of his generation. He lectured in music theory and composition at the University of Ghana, directed its Abibigromma Theatre Group, and created new forms, including the Pentanata, the HD-3 form and the Drumnata.

Early life and career

He was born on 25 July 1951 into a musical family. He taught music at Achimota School, where he conducted the Aggrey Memorial Chapel Choir, before joining the University of Ghana's music department as a teaching assistant and then senior research assistant. He later earned a Diploma in African Music (1982) and a master's degree in music (2003). In the late 1970s he also composed for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation's orchestra.

Church music

He was choirmaster of the Evangelical Presbyterian churches at Madina and Hohoe, organist at Hohoe, and also played organ for Trinity College.

Works

He wrote choral, orchestral, vocal, piano and organ works, many with Ewe texts. His choral pieces include Nutifafa (1972), Yehowa fe Lↄlↄ Lolo (1973), Nunya Adidoe (1979) and Brighten the Corner Where You Are (1988). His orchestral works include a Symphony No. 1 in D (1975), a Rhapsody (1976), Kale (1977), a Clarinet Concerto (1980) and Pentaphony (1986), and for piano he wrote Pentanatas No. 1 (1980) and No. 2 (1986), Black Visitation (1986) and a Sonata in D (1987).

Death

He died on 18 March 2020.