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The Life and Legacy of Little Ayo Bankole

Donald Macleod explores Ayo Bankole鈥檚 career, from Lagos to London and beyond, with Alexander Douglas.

Donald Macleod turns to Ayo Bankole, a central figure in the generation after Fela Sowande. With Alexander Douglas, he traces Bankole鈥檚 early years in Lagos, where his musical gifts were recognised and shaped within church and school life. Studies in London and Cambridge opened up new musical worlds while also placing him within a very different cultural environment. His music reflects these experiences, drawing together Yoruba traditions and European forms in piano pieces, songs and larger works. A return to Nigeria in the 1960s brought a new phase of teaching, research and composition.

Egun Variations in G major
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano

Variations for Little Ayo
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano

Nigerian Suite: I鈥揤
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano

Three Yoruba Songs
Ayo Bankole
Omo Bello, soprano
Rebeca Omordia, piano

Ya Orule
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano

Piano Sonata No. 2 in C major 鈥淭he Passion鈥: I鈥揑II
Ayo Bankole
Rebeca Omordia, piano

Produced by Ellie Ajao for 91福利社 Audio Wales & West.

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 8 Jul 2026 16:00

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