Fer Barre Kona Jeno

“Don’t Play Favorites”

Kakraba Lobi/ arr. Valerie Naranjo/ orch. Andrew Beall

West African Concerto for Marimba or Gyil and Orchestra or Wind Ensemble

Fer Bare Kona Jeno is from the Lobi/Brifo nation of Northern Ghana, arranged for solo gyil by the late Kakraba Lobi, the founding gyil virtuoso of the Ghana Dance Ensemble (The National Dance Company of Ghana.) This piece, in the style “Darkpo” (men’s music) gives an important message to its listeners, “Don’t play favorites,” teaching a valuable social lesson:  be impartial with your affection and generosity. For instance, a parent of many children creates disharmony among them when that parent favors a particular child. This was one of Kakraba’s signature tunes, as he performed around the world. Fer Barre was recently recorded by SUNY Fredonia Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Paula Holcombe, and was performed by Valerie Naranjo and the National Symphony of Ghana during the summers of 2018 and 2019


Meta- rhythmical and lengthy, this is a long term study. Fer Barre Kona Jeno can be played solo, or with Orchestra or Wind Ensemble.
Fer Barre Kona Jeno is for an advanced player.

***Fer Barre Kona Jeno can be played solo, with full or chamber Orchestra, or Wind Ensemble. 

-Transcribed for 4.5 Octave Marimba

Instrumentation:

  •  solo: Marimba or Gyil (G A B D E G A B D E F# A B D)
  • Woodwinds: 1 Piccolo | 2 Flute | 2 Oboe | 1 English Horn |1 Clarinet (Eb) | 2 Clarinet (Bb) | 1 Bass Clarinet (Bb) | 1 Contrabass Clarinet (Bb) | 2 Bassoon | 1 Contrabassoon | 2 Alto Sax | 1 Tenor Sax | 1 Bari Sax
  • Brass: 4 Horn (F) | 2 Trumpet (Bb) | 2 Trombone | 1 Bass Trombone | 1 Euphonium | 1 Tuba
  • Strings: 1 Double Bass
  • 1 Piano
  • 1 Harp
  • Percussion (5 players): Timpani (4) | Bass Drum | Sus. Cymbal | Snare Drum | Crotales | Agogo Bell | Sleigh Bells | Triangle | Vibraphone | Djembe | Xylophone | Glockenspiel | Log Drums (2) | Egg Shaker | Wuhan Gong | Rainstick | Woodblock | Vibraslap | Ganzaa (2) | Shekere | Tom-Toms (4)

View a Sample Page of the Music:

U.S. Retail: $40.00 (orch) /35.00 (WE)
(includes score and solo part)
PO Box 744
New York, NY 10040
email: orders@bachovich.com