Dawn in Dakar
Summary
| Original Title | Dawn in Dakar |
| Composer | Masakazu Shiokawa |
| Year of Composition | September 2025 |
| Instrumentation | Piano solo |
| Duration | approx. 9 minutes |
| Sheet Music Publisher | LesClefsOffice co.,Ltd. |
| Copyright Management | LesClefsOffice co.,Ltd. |
Work Description
Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is world-renowned for the “Dakar Rally.” Located in West Africa and formerly part of French territory, it is considered one of the most advanced and cosmopolitan cities in the region.
Culturally, although the majority of Senegal’s population is Muslim, most belong to Sufi brotherhoods rooted in Islamic mysticism. This contributes to a relatively moderate approach to religious doctrine. As a result, Senegal maintains a tolerant attitude toward music—contrary to certain Islamic traditions in which music is considered haram (forbidden). In Senegal, music often plays an important role in religious ceremonies, and the country has developed its own rich musical and dance culture. Dakar also hosts an annual jazz festival, giving the city a lively artistic atmosphere.
Inspired by Dakar, I composed this piece with a jazz-rock aesthetic. Rather than following strict classical formalism, the work unfolds according to the passage of time: Dawn → Midnight → Dawn. In Islamic regions, the call to prayer known as Adhan is broadcast throughout the city at each prayer time. In the piece, I evoke this sound using the Hijaz maqam mode, combined with bebop-style phrasing to create a rhythmic and energetic “musical adhan.”
The “Dawn” section incorporates Sabar, a traditional Senegalese dance characterized by extremely fast and complex rhythms. Over this rhythmic foundation, bright pop-like harmonic progressions depict the rising sun.
The performance time is approximately 8 minutes 30 seconds. The piece is technically demanding, featuring meters such as 7/4, precisely notated swing passages, wide tenths, and large leaps. Although the work has a sense of key center, it makes almost no use of classical functional harmony, creating a unique floating atmosphere driven by a strong rhythmic pulse throughout.
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