Program Notes:
In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, many lives were lost and Japan was enveloped in profound sorrow.
As a composer, I wanted to contribute anyway I could, and through music, I became involved in efforts to support the recovery. In the summer of 2017, during the National Cultural Festival for High Schools in Miyagi, I was honored with the opportunity to compose a piece commissioned by a private joint band.
The first section of the piece portrays the shock of the moment when everything was lost to the earthquake and tsunami - silence, rage, and sorrow.
The middle section features the sound of prayer bells, a chorale, and the rising sun glittering over the ocean surface, expressing the journey toward recovery.
The finale, filled with the energy of a vibrant festival, symbolizes a hopeful future of unity and fruitful lives, and is concluded with music influenced by traditional Japanese sounds.At the premiere, I was deeply moved and brought to tears by the heartfelt performance created by more than 100 musicians playing as one.
I will never forget how this sincere message resonated with everyone through the power of music.

Performance Notes: