Traditional, mischievous Japanese folktales are brought to life in this suite.
I. PRELUDE (1:45)
II. ZASHIKI-WARASHI (1:50)
III. OSHIRA-SAMA (5:00)
IV. YAMAMBA (3:35)
V. KAPPA (3:20)
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe
Bassoon
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Eb Alto Saxophone 1 (doubling Bb Soprano Saxophone)
Eb Alto Saxophone 2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
F Horn 1
F Horn 2
F Horn 3
F Horn 4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba (div.)
String Bass
Harp (or Piano)
Timpani, Samba Whistle
[Percussion 1] Sleigh Bells, Snare Drum, Splash Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal
[Percussion 2] Bass Drum, Claves, Tam-tam
[Percussion 3] Crash Cymbals, Wind Chime, Tambourine, Agogos, Vibra Slap
[Percussion 4] Suspended Cymbal, Triangle, Ratchet, Guiro, Tam-tam, Vibraphone, Tambourine, Claves
[Percussion 5] Wood Blocks, Bongos, Whip, Maracas, Marimba, Tom-tom, Tambourine
[Percussion 6] Glockenspiel
[Percussion 7] Xylophone, Tubllar Bells
This work was complete in January 2013 to commemoration the 50th anniversary of the Iwate Prefecture Band Association. Conditions at the request were as follows:
1: Does not have to be particularly relating to Iwate. It should be something that would be widely familiar to the whole country. 2: Should suit the contest piece requirements. 3: Must be a song that can be used at a graduation ceremony for student procession and recessional.
4: Must include vocal parts with a beautiful melody.
5: Must be a march.
6: Must be a song that would be loved by many.
They are difficult requests. I hope to satisfy at least one of them.
We selected Yanagida Kunio's book "Tono Monogatari" as the cornerstone of the work, chose four stories that fit the image, and stuck close to the source of the story. Then, "prelude music" was added, making it a suite consisting of five movements.
I. "Prelude" What kind of story will it be? An exciting opening expresses such a feeling.
II. "Zashikiwarashi" Spirit that brings good fortune and wealth. It appears at midnight and makes mischief, something silly, not serious. Zashikiwarashi moves quickly, dances, plays its games, hiding and reappearing often. These characteristics are considered cute and the music depicts such a mischievous Zashikiwasi.
III. "Oshirasama" A girl and her horse love each other. Her father forbids this, and kills the horse. The beautiful daughter clings to the horse and cries. Eventually, the daughter and the horse rise to heaven, slowly and gradually, remembering former happy days. The music captures this ascension to heaven.
IV. "Yamanba (Mountain witch)" Run away, run away, its chasing, still chasing. Run away, and still chasing. The girls hides. Yamanba searches. It keeps chasing, endlessly, following her everywhere. Chasing, chasing, and finally... Seriously and comically depicting the chase situation in fugue style.
V. "Kappa" Staring into the distance. It looks gallant. What is it looking at? Staring beyond the mountain? Perhaps it is longing for hope and happiness. This is an homage, a march, and cheering song for Kappa who never gives up and embraces dreams and hope.
It is my wish that many people become familiar with this song.
(2013.3.31 Tsushima Tashima)
