Even though “classical music” began mostly in Europe, composers worldwide are contributing their unique voices to the genre. The Mexican composer Arturo Márquez wrote his "Conga del Fuego" based on the rhythms of Cuban danzón and conga music. He drew inspiration from what he saw in the dance halls of Mexico. Thousands of miles away from there, the conductor Kent Nagano heard his daughter singing a Japanese folk song at breakfast one morning. He was inspired to give that music to his orchestra and choir. When you travel to a different country, there are monuments and landmarks where you can see the history of a place. In Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, there stands a giant golden gate that welcomes you. It looks like a mighty fortress, tall and grand, and it’s been around for hundreds of years. That is what we can hear in the “Great Gate of Kiev,” music by Modest Mussorgsky. Music featured in the segment: 1. Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Greensleeves 2. Arturo Marquez: Conga del Fuego 3. Traditional Japanese Songs: Ame Furi o Tsuki San & Sumidagawa 4. Modest Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition: Great Gate of Kiev More music to explore: Alberto Ginastera: Suite de Danzas Criollas (Argentina) Sona Jobarteh: Ballaké Sissoko (Gambia)
Alberto Ginastera - Suite de Danzas Criollas for Piano, Op. 15 (1946)
Ballaké Sissoko ft. Sona Jobarteh - Djourou
