Prayer to Peace

"Prayer to Peace" was premiered as an encore at the 25th Anniversary Concert of the NEC Fuchu Symphonic Band on May 27, 2000, with a soprano voice or chorus. The premiere was sung by mezzo-soprano Yuka Kobayashi.
This piece is a serial work with "and all on the earth had gone," published in 1999, and "Procession to Peace"," selected for the All Japan Band Competition in 2001.

When "and all on the earth had gone" was released, an audience member commented in a questionnaire that he wished the score would be denied further performance because it was so poignant, which prompted the creation of this piece.

The composer has no power to influence politics or create an anti-nuclear movement and can only observe what is happening in the world. Still, when he thinks about what he can do for peace, he believes it is necessary to continue creating, even though he is still inexperienced, and wishes for peace, even if only emotionally. Although there are still many conflicts on earth and environmental pollution problems that are far from being solved, I feel that if just one more person thinks proactively about these issues through my work, it will encourage the approach to true peace.

(Akira Toda)