Songs and Dances

Commissioned for the CD "Japanese Band Repertoire Vol. 5" (Kosei Publishing Co. Ltd.)

I focused on composing a medium grade piece for smaller bands with four percussionists.

Assuming that every band has a set of four timpani, separating those into two pairs allows two percussionists to perform antiphonally, echoing across the ensemble. For the winds, fanfare voices are staggered, with implied delay, while separate choirs call and respond. Hence the title "Antiphonal Call".

The 2nd movement's "Songs and Dances" speak in defined contrast. Two distinct part groupings present differing song forms and tempi until ultimately the songs absorb the dances, and the melodies combine in heterophony to introduce the 3rd movement.

(Eiji Suzuki)