Dances of a Heavenly Maiden- Rhapsody on Story of Hagoromo (score)

This piece is based on the story of the traditional Japanese Noh play "Hagoromo." It was originally composed as a chamber ensemble for Nihonbashi Jogakkan High School (now called Kaichi Nihonbashi Gakuen High School), where I used to work. After some time passed, I revised the piece in 2017, commissioned by the Ome City Sixth Junior High School. Then, in 2020, I composed the first brass band version for the joint band of Ome City Fukiage Junior High School & Ome City Dairoku Junior High School (conductor: Mr. Fumiaki Miyajima). The concert band edition was premiered by seven players and won the Grand Prix at the 26th Japan Wind Music Ensemble Contest (Small Band Division). The following year, Asahi Junior High School in Amami City performed it at the 69th All Japan Wind Music Competition, where it attracted much attention, and Matsue-Nishi Senior High School of Nagashima Gakuen performed it at the 27th Japan Wind Music Ensemble Contest, National Competition (S Division), where it won the Grand Prix for the Best Performance Award.

The work has been nurtured by various groups over a long period of time. Upon officially publishing, I added a few optional instruments, but still intended for the piece to be performed by a small group. I would be happy if you could cherish the details that can be expressed only with a small group, and the mysterious and fantastic atmosphere of the piece.

Some of you may be familiar with the story of "Hagoromo," but if you imagine each scene and capture the colors of the melody and harmony, I think you will be able to broaden your range of expression.

(Tomohito Matsushita)