Commissioned by Nishimiya Junior High School Band, 2015.Rituals can include incantations for various fortunes; a good harvest, a prayer for good-luck during a potential disaster and so on.The theme here is "Prayer for Rain". It depicts an imaginary place where an aboriginal ritual with rhythmic and harmonic characteristics is practiced. It is not a spectacle, rather more conservative and traditional.The melody consists of half-step and augmented intervals, creating a somewhat exotic line. Triple meter strengthens the rhythmic feel. Then it develops into forward moving syncopation. Near the end, two trumpets present a peaceful song of prayer. Then a full-sounding ensemble chorale resonates like a sunray piercing through the clouds.
(Yosuke Fukuda)
