Printed set (Score & Parts)
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bb Contrabass Clarinet
Bb Soprano Saxophone
Eb Alto Saxophone 1
Eb Alto Saxophone 2
Bb Tenor Saxophone (div.)
Eb Baritone Saxophone (div.)
Bb Trumpet 1 (div.)
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
Bb Flgugel horn 1
Bb Flgugel horn 2
F Horn 1/2
F Horn 3/4
Trombone 1 (div.)
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (div. in 3)
Tuba (div. in 3)
String Bass
Piano
Timpani
[Percussion 1] Claves, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Tam-tam, Suspended Cymbal
[Percussion 2] Wood Blocks, Moku-sho, Snare Drum, 3 Tom-toms, Tam-tam, Triangle, Vibra-Slap, Bongos
[Percussion 3] Bongos, Moku-sho, Vibraphone, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Wood Blocks, Triangle
[Percussion 4] Moku-sho, Triangle, Wood Blocks
[Percussion 5] Moku-sho, Bass Drum, Tambourine
[Percussion 6] 3 Tom-toms, Suspended Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Snare Drum, Tam-tam
[Percussion 7] Xylophone, Wind Chime, Anvil, Chan-chiki
This piece was commissioned by the Otsu Symphonic Band in 2004 and is dedicated to the band and its conductor, Mr. Youichi Morishima.
It is the third installment in a series themed around "love," preceded by "Life Variations for Wind Ensemble" (commissioned by the Hamamatsu Symphony Wind Orchestra) and "Cantus Sonare" (commissioned by the Soka Gloria Wind Orchestra), together forming a trilogy dedicated to the theme of love.
The "Phoenix," a mythical bird, has been a symbol of good fortune in Japan from the Asuka and Hakuho periods, commonly depicted in art and decorations. This concept also encompasses the Phoenix of ancient Egyptian origin, known for its cycle of burning itself every 500 years and rising anew, symbolizing immortality. The thematic conception of this work is inspired by the overlapping images of these mythological birds and the "Phoenix" (Future arc) from Osamu Tezuka's narrative, shaping its foundational theme.
While the work is heavily inspired by Tezuka's stories in terms of imagery and ideas, it steers clear of direct programmatic representation. Nonetheless, the narrative elements of a society overrun by robots, leading to futile wars and the eventual extinction and rebirth of humanity, under the watchful guidance of the "Phoenix," significantly influence the composition's structure. Importantly, the "Phoenix" in "Phoenix: The Bird of Benevolence" is not indicative of a comparative or originative relationship but stands as a distinct element of the title.
(Eiji Suzuki)
