Rumba Rhapsody

Toshiro Mayuzumi (1929-1997), known for leading the post-World War II music scene alongside Yasushi Akutagawa and Ikuma Dan through the "Three Musicians" group. He worked on not only modern music but also numerous film scores. He is particularly famous for being chosen as a replacement for Stravinsky for the Hollywood film "The Creation of the World." Although opportunities to perform them are extremely rare, he also composed works for wind ensembles. Some of these pieces are included in the CD "Tone Preromas 55: Toshiro Mayuzumi Works," conducted by Hiroyuki Iwaki and performed by the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. The collection features several notable pieces. He was also widely known as the host of the long-running television program "Untitled Concert," which continues to this day. However, he was not just a presenter who read from a script; he was also involved in planning and organizing the show himself. Naturally, the usual cue cards prepared for the front row of the audience were not used. My mentor, Arata Sakaguchi, had a close relationship with him during his lifetime. It is believed that the frequent use of saxophones in orchestral works, such as the "Nirvana Symphony," was likely due to Sakaguchi's strong requests. Thanks to this, many saxophonists, including myself, have had the opportunity to work with orchestras beyond just Ravel and Bizet. Additionally, just before the World Saxophone Congress held in Japan, a special program was broadcast to promote classical saxophone, facilitated through my mentor's connections. However, I do have a somewhat unfavorable memory of being made to perform "The March of the Toy Soldiers" while walking.
"Rumba Rhapsody" was composed in 1948 while the composer was studying at the Tokyo Music University (now Tokyo University of the Arts). He entrusted the score to his mentor, Akira Ifukube, and requested assistance in arranging its premiere, but he was not fortunate enough to have it performed at that time. The premiere took place in 2004, after Mr. Mayuzumi's death. The work shows influences from jazz, modern French music, and Stravinsky, and is quite rich in variety. It is likely that the piece incorporates the most innovative and stylish elements of the time it was composed. In the arrangement for wind ensemble, the composer Isao Matsushita, who was also a student of Mayuzumi, provided assistance, and the handwritten score held in the library of Tokyo University of the Arts was used. Since the music was not performed during his lifetime, errors that should have been corrected were not. In addition, the score was not easy to read, and many parts were illegible.
It was performed by the Hikarigaoka Girls' High School Wind Orchestra at the All Japan Band Competition held in Nagoya in October 2016.

(Mamoru Nakata)