[DOWNLOAD] Black Sky - Percussion Quintet

Commissioned by Yumi Terada and Percussion Ensemble DRIVE

The sky shows its many characters in different ways. No two are alike. This changing scene reminded me of the saying, "Woman (man) as fickle as April weather". Perhaps, it is a depiction of our hearts and minds in everyday lives.

When you imagine a "black sky", you may think of the night sky. It is not only a depiction of time but also the dark and tough moments in our lives. Every day we might face hardships, hopelessness, or grief. That is when we need to pause and look up at the sky and realize that there is happiness just ahead if we keep trying and moving on. Black Sky is not the end, but that moment in life when you realize there is still hope and things will get better.

There are so many artistic and expressive elements in this work. Not just the enjoyment and excitement of rhythmic precision, but the aesthetic clarity created by silent moments in the performance.

(Shuhei Tamura)