Printed set (Score & Parts)
Commissioned by Mr. Kazuhiko Tsuchiya of Tamagawa Academy (Lower Secondary Division) in 2013 and premiered at the 37th Tokyo Ensemble Contest by the school's octet ensemble.
The world map shows the current state of its complex history. Some have gained and some have lost. However, as history shows, the world we have now will continue to change. Somewhere blood is being shed. These conflicts are creating refugees.
"Stateless" does not refer to a specific nation. However, as an example, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire can be considered. Invasions by the Roman Empire killed thousands of people, leaving many stateless. Such a powerful empire eventually perished. Just as there is no eternal life on earth, states may not be eternal and will one day become "stateless".
The subtitle "flames" and "winds" refer to "flames of war" and "wind blowing against refugees in the wilderness"which reflects the anger, rage, mourning, and fight for life. Conceivably, it mirrors people's minds agonizing between reality and ideals. Neither are concrete. Yet, just as flames create wind and wind extinguishes fire, they are inseparable. The history of the world has shown that its endless conflicts produce loss and rebirth. Imaginably the world map continues to change.
(Shuhei Tamura)
