Ludovic Lamothe and Haitian Classical Music

I don't listen to much classical music, but I've been meaning to give a try to more black classical composers. I've read a little about some Haitian figures, such as Occide Jeanty, Ludovic Lamothe, Justin Elie, and Frantz Casseus (I especially love Casseus for using Haitian folk and Vodou songs, though I don't think one can always paint him as classical). Ludovic Lamothe, known to me through Largey's book on Vodou and music in Haiti as well as the recordings of Alan Lomax in Haiti in the 1930s (he recorded "Nibo" and perhaps another song or two of Lamothe's), sounds like Chopin at times whereas in other compositions, he uses Carnival and mereng influences. Apparently Lamothe was a "full-blooded negro who shows outcroppings of genius."

Here, I found an online version of "Nibo" recorded by Lamothe himself to share (it was covered by many others and was the most popular carnival song the year the US ended it's occupation of Haiti), and here is one by another group. According to Gage Averill and Largey, the elite that for the most part listened to classical music in Haiti could enjoy a Lamothe mereng because they were usually of the slower kind, meringue lente. "Nibo" is a reference to a Ghede spirit of Vodou who guides the dead to the afterlife. Perhaps part of the song's popularity spoke to the future exit of American Marines from Haiti, as in the death of American occupation and Nibo as taking away the dead?

Yet they were also popular with the masses, because Lomax recorded a rendition of the tune by a popular music band in 1936 or 1937. Martha Jean Claude sang "Nibo" as well on a Cuban release. Claude's version is quite rousing, with minor tones, lots of rhythm, back-up vocals, and hypnotic guitar and haunting sound effects.Last but not least, check out Edner Guignard's version, which sounds like a konpa period album with Cuban and American jazz influences in the band. Love those drums! 

The above video for the most part does not include anything characteristically "Haitian" or Afro-Caribbean for the most part, unfortunately. "Danse Capois  ('Scenes De Carnaval' No. 4)" does suggest a Caribbean Carnival, however, and "Danse Espagnole" does less so. "La Dangereuse" is another mereng composed by Lamothe, but unfortunately I have not found a recording by Lamothe himself. This video of an adolescent playing the mereng lente is probably a little too fast, but sounds beautiful. 

One of these days I hope to finish Largey's book and write a review for this blog. As a last recommendation, check out "Valse aux Etoiles" and "Libellule" here. The album, Fleurs d'Haiti is also worth checking out for some more of Ludovic Lamothe.