Coleman, V :: Fanmi Imen

Valerie Coleman presents Fanmi Imen [Human Family]: Poem for flute and piano.

The title of Coleman's one poem is Haitian Creole for Maya Angelou's famous work, Human Family. Both the musical and literary poems acknowledge differences within mankind, either due to ethnicity, background, or geography, but Angelou's poetic refrain: 'we are more alike, my friends, than we are unlike,' reaffirms our humanity as a reminder of unity.

Within the flute and piano parts are motifs representing cultural differences that come together to form a tapestry, united through tempi and quasi cadenza-like transitions. The work begins and ends with a patriotic American feel, to symbolize and recognize the contributions immigrants have made towards the building of a nation as a whole.

The work includes harmonies and thematic material that represent French flute music blending with an underlying pentatonicism found in Asian traditions, a caravan through Middle Eastern parts of the world that merge with Flamenco music within the Quasi-Cadenza, and an upbeat journey southward into Africa with the sounds of Kalimba (thumb piano). Here, the flute imitates the thumb piano as it playfully taps out a tune that spells out a morse code message of U-N-I-T-Y within the rhythm. The many twists and turns come together to create a sound that symbolizes a beautifully diverse human race.

For advanced players.