Echoes in the Evening Sky-Brass and Percussion Octet

Program notes
Commissioned by Kawaguchi City Ensemble Liberte Band, 2021.
The most distinctive feature of this piece is a brass fanfare of advanced level. The interweaving of an earthy scale melody with an academic feel resulted in music with a unique worldview. The second half of the piece is up-tempo, so be sure to play aggressively, valuing propulsive force. However, be careful not to lose rhythm or slip in the sections that require a pickup and expressive melody, even if the tempo is fast. Percussion needs to create the mood at the beginning of the piece to reinforce rhythm and establish beat, while adding color and dynamism to the brass instruments.

In 2022, at the All Japan Ensemble Contest held at Yamagata Prefecture's Yamagin Kenmin Hall, I was moved by the sense of unity among the members of Libert?. I will never forget the afterglow of that experience.

Performance notes
Letter [E] Perc. 1 (Timp.) Adjust the note to be used next with your foot while playing.
Letter [G] Perc. 2 Quickly switch to triangle beater.
Letter [I] Perc.1 Lean your body toward the timpani.
Bar 139 Perc.1 (Timp.) Change the high E to D as you play.

Be flexible with instrument placement from the beginning and make fine adjustments as you practice. Players need to move quickly to instruments in short rests, so securing the leading line is essential. There are areas that require special attention such as expressing a softer tone with a harder mallet.
(Hiroaki Kataoka)

(Hiroaki Kataoka)