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This piece was originally composed for euphonium and tuba ensemble, inspired by the impressions I had during a visit to Hiroshima City. It was created with the heartfelt hope that true peace will one day come to Earth. The ensemble version premiered in April 2006, while the wind band arrangement debuted in February 2007.
During my visit to Hiroshima, I went to places such as the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and the Peace Memorial Park. Witnessing the harrowing reminders of war, I became deeply convinced of the futility of conflicts born from human greed. At the same time, I was profoundly moved by the many people folding paper cranes, expressing their earnest wishes for peace.
Throughout history, humanity has experienced endless conflict. On this Earth, wars and disputes have persisted without pause, dragging even innocent children into their devastation and costing countless precious lives. The world often seems bleak and desolate as a result. But war is not the only issue. There are tragic murders, robberies, corruption driven by a lack of professional ethics, and environmental destruction. The list goes on, and at the root of it all, one invariably finds the presence of human "selfish desires."
I often find myself sighing, wondering, When will peace finally come? Through this piece, I hope you can sense these feelings and share in the longing for a brighter and more peaceful dawn.
(Akira Toda)
World Parts Download
