The Elm Tree

The Elm Tree was written in 2021.

"The Elm Tree" is approximately 150 years old living in Toyokoro, Hokkaido, the island located in northern Japan near Russia.

It looks like one big tree on the riverbed of Tokachi River but if you look closely, two trees are intertwined at the bottom supporting each other, and branches and leaves happily grow in all directions.

The tree has seen changing seasons with the hardship of mother nature for over a century. It is now a popular dating spot.

The work has three parts, Slow-Fast-Slow. The opening portrays two trees snuggled up in grand, beautiful nature. The fast part is the lively buds and greenery full of vitality, enduring the hardship of rain and wind. When the music slows, one sees the grandness of the tree living there happily ever after.

The grade level is 2.5. The minimum number of players is eight (Wind 7 & Percussion 1). One should present deep musical colors regardless of group size or instrumentation. The highest trumpet note is C. Brass sections don't have wide ranges. There are detailed notes here and there for woodwinds. Once the players learn the fingerings, it would not be too difficult. Percussion can be played by just one player with timpani, suspended cymbal, and wind chime. If you have more players, add Perc. 2 and 3 to thicken the sound.

(Hayato Hirose)