Always the Way Remains

Composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hitachi Citizens Wind Orchestra by special commission. Fifty years is a long time-there must have been plenty of joyful moments, but also difficulties along the way. That got me thinking: no matter what challenges they face, there's always a way forward. That idea became the foundation of this piece and its title, Always the way remains. But as I was writing, the meaning of "the way" started to shift. It wasn't just about overcoming difficulties-it became more about the path that leads us to what truly matters. Rather than replacing the original idea, this new meaning added another layer. So, I adjusted my approach to focus not on "challenges," but on "the path" itself. There are many different paths to what's important. Music is one of them, of course-but even within music, those paths can be grand, rich, delicate, or something else entirely. And beyond music, things like landscapes and personal connections also play a big role. As I worked on this piece, I found myself thinking about the things that shaped me: the mountains and beautiful sea of Hitachi that I grew up with, the warmth and kindness of the orchestra members, their musical range, and their dedication to connecting with the audience. Imagining all these different paths helped bring this piece to life.

(Jun Nagao)