PROFESSOR ATTA ANAN MENSAH (1922 -2006)

PROFESSOR ATTA ANAN MENSAH (1922 - 2006) He was a native of Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. He was born in 1922 into a family of musicians.

His father, Percy Mensah, was the local examiner for the Victoria College of Music, London.

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His musical talent became apparent from early childhood when he learnt how to play the harmonium.

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His education at Mfantsipim and later at the Trinity College of Music in London, prepared him for the task he was to undertake later in life.

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He was among the first batch of students that were registered for the School of Music founded and directed by Dr. E. Amu at Achimota College in 1949.

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He later joined Amu at the School as an Assistant Lecturer when the School of Music was transferred to the College of Arts, Science and Technology in Kumasi.

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When he returned from his Trinity College training, he joined the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation as the Head of Music Programmes. In 1963, Atta Anan Mensah joined the staff of the School of Music, Dance and Drama at Legon.

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In the mid 1960s he ventured out into Central Zambia and Uganda as a reputable lecturer where he successfully worked as Head of the Music departments of the two respective Universities. During a sabbatical leave, Professor Mensah worked also at the University of Illorin in Nigeria.

ATTA ANAN MENSAH continued Among his early compositions are  Akono Mframa (Battle Scenes Echoes), 1952;  Beach Fantasy (written for treble instruments and Piano);  Sanguruma,  and the Highlife Medley for piano.

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His music is tonal and triadic, more so than that of Nketia. Divine Presence features among his piano music. His collection of vocal compositions includes "Adekyee fofor akye", written specially for his spouse. Professor Mensah and his wife have performed this on several festive occasions.

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Professor Mensah uses local materials and techniques while he combines these beautifully with the ideas he has acquired from classical compositional techniques. Professor Mensah is the founder of the Department of Music of the University of Cape Coast in 1977.