Commissioned by the woodwind octet of the Takanawadai High School Wind Ensemble of Tokai University in September 2024. It premiered at the 48th Tokyo Metropolitan High School Ensemble Contest in December of the same year. The ensemble went on to win a Gold Prize at the 48th All Japan Ensemble Contest (National Competition), representing Tokyo.The title "Radiant" was chosen to reflect the fresh, radiant image of the Takanawadai High School Wind Ensemble, which served as inspiration for the composition.The piece was written in early autumn, just as the chill of the season began to set in. As a personal nod to that atmosphere, the slow section incorporates harmonic progressions related to my wind band debut piece, Autumn Fantasy - the First Prize winner of the 5th Japan Academic Society of Wind Music Composition Award. In contrast, the fast section is characterized by its rapid, constantly shifting motion, forming a balanced structure between the two contrasting parts.
(Kazuki Shimoda)
