[DOWNLOAD] Murasame

Program Notes:
Commissioned by Obama Jr. HS Band. They have achieved remarkable results as a marching band. I composed this piece through our relationship with Mr. Koei Morishita, the Obama Jr. HS director. Under his guidance they participated in the All Japan Band Competition Regional A Division with their director, Ms. Mikiko Matsuyama. Though a smaller band they performed on the same stage as the larger bands, achieving a superior result and advancing to the All Japan Band Competiton's Kyushu Division.

As for the song's content, I aimed to create a piece giving an awareness of "Japan". The title "Murasame" refers to rain that falls hard and stops quickly. It reminded me of the rain I experienced in Unzen City. I had also composed a piece titled "Blue Energy" based upon this region, inspired by the great energy there and the beauty and harshness of nature.

I composed this piece for the 17 players of the Obama Jr. HS Band so that each member's individuality could be expressed. Having a limited number of voices and parts, I tried to blend individual parts to create a great expression. The piece consists of three movements, each clearly divided. In the first, focus on the atmosphere and express the ethereal musical world. In the second, the music is in motion, and while moving forward, be aware of sound qualities and the dialogue between the various instruments. In the third movement, imagine a Japanese festival, or magma, with a sense of unity. Conclude the music as if releasing all at once the enormous energy stored. The movements are "Zyo (Beginning)," "Ha (Break)," and "Kyu (Rapid)," and I would be happy if you could use the impression of these words as a hint for thinking about the music. Naturally, these thoughts were considered as I wrote.

Instrumentation:
The instrumentation of this piece at the time of its premiere is as follows:
Fl.(doub. Picc.)/ Cl./ 1st A.Sax. /2nd A.Sax./ T.Sax./ B.Sax./ 1st Trp./ 2nd Trp./ Hrn./ 1st Trb./ 2nd Trb./ Euph./ Tuba/ Timp./ 1st Perc./ 2nd Perc./ 3rd Perc.

Japanese drums and other traditional percussion are optional but will help create the piece's atmosphere. For example, you may not be able to provide taiko drums, but you can provide kagura bells, or you may use Western instruments that you own to express a Japanese image, etc. Please consider instrumentation that suits each band's circumstances. There was only one clarinetist at the time of its premiere. Although unusual for concert band instrumentation, the piece is based on a saxophone quartet and treats the clarinet as a solo instrument. This score also contains optional parts that were not written for the premier, so I hope each band can orchestrate to their needs.

(Daisuke Ehara)

(Sohei Kano)