Beautiful vocal duets express a profound desire for lasting world peace.
Flute (div. in 3)
Piccolo
Oboe (div.)
English Horn
Bassoon (div.)
Contrabassoon
Eb Clarinet
Bb Clarinet 1 (div. in 3)
Bb Clarinet 2
Bb Clarinet 3
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bb Contrabass Clarinet
Eb Alto Saxophone 1
Eb Alto Saxophone 2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone
F Horn 1/2
F Horn 3/4
Bb Piccolo Trumpet (or Eb Cornet)
Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2
Bb Trumpet 3
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Euphonium (div.)
Tuba (div.)
String Bass (div.)
Harp
Timpani
[Percussion 1] Whip, 2 Toms, Bass Drum, Rin
[Percussion 2] Rin, 2 Triangles, Wind Chime, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals
[Percussion 3] Tree Bells, 2 Flexatones, Tam, Wind Chime
[Percussion 4] Antique Cymbal (Crotales), Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Glass Harmonicas (2 or 3 players)
[Percussion 5] Steel Pan, Vibraphone
Signed in 1951, the Treaty of San Francisco officially marked the end of World War II. As the defeated nation of the war, Japan's national sovereignty was at a risk of being lost to foreign powers such as China and the Soviet Union. The words of J. R. Jayawardene (1906-1996), former President of Sri Lanka (then Finance Minister of Ceylon) were what saved Japan from that fate. Although the island of Ceylon suffered aerial bombings from the Japanese Imperial Army, his words were that "We in Ceylon were fortunate that we were not invaded", and that "we believe in the words of the Great Teacher" and "hatred ceases not by hatred but by love", quoting the teachings of Buddha, in an attempt to allow a free Japan, and expressed that he had no wish for compensation from Japan. It can be said that, Japan is what she is today, because she was saved by the words of Buddha. (The Japanese people should be grateful for that.)
Among a great number of Buddhist texts, the original words by Buddha himself were only recorded in a few, and were written in the Pali language, which was spoken by Buddha. Hence, this composition being written based on the Pali language. However, though, it is not a piece of religious music.
In general, for all religions, all man may all but desire the same thing. Unfortunately though, wars cease to end in this world. Several countries and regions all over the world are in threatening situations.
"May all living beings be happy." And may future generations live in a better world.
The music starts with a prayer, "May all living beings be happy" presented by the baritone. Shortly after, the soprano comes in, depicting fury. The baritone would respond with the words "hatred will not cease with hatred", paving the way to a gentle melody, singing, "hatred will cease only by not hating". The soprano would yield with the words "this is the eternal truth".
The soprano ushers in a calm section with the words, "all living beings, feeble and strong", while the baritone joins in with the words, "all beings that can, and cannot be seen", eventually leading to a duet part with the words "may all be happy". The composition fades quietly into the ending with both singing the words, "Good, good, good..."
