This piece was commissioned by percussionist Tomoko Terayama.
"I just want to keep hitting and hitting like crazy!"
While I composed the work with this passionate request from Ms. Terayama in mind, I envisioned a soloist going wild on stage.
It's rare for me to decide on a title during the composition process, but for this piece, there was no other choice-"Raijin".

The introduction evokes the stillness of night, gradually building in volume before transitioning to the main section. That section is designed so that themes return, but accelerated. The piece reaches a climax when it seems impossible to push the tempo any further, leading to a sudden collapse. The introductory theme briefly resurfaces, then one last surge in tempo brings the work to a close with solo improvisation.
(Koh, Chang-Su)

Composer: Chang Su Koh
Chang Su Koh was born in Osaka in 1970. After graduating from Osaka College of Music with a degree in composition, he entered the Musik Akademie der Stadt Basel. Koh has studied composition with Kunihiko Tanaka and Rudolf Kelterborn, and conducting with Jost Meyer to date. He received the 2nd prize from the 5th Suita Music Contest composition section and earned honorable mentions from the 13th Nagoya City Cultural Promotion Contest and the 1st Zolt?n Kod?ly Memorial International Composers Competition. He was also awarded the 12th Asahi Composition prize ("Lament"was a 2002 AJBC test piece) and received the "Master Yves Leleu"prize from the 1st Comines-Warneton International Composition Contest. Presently, he teaches at Osaka College of Music and ESA Conservatory of Music and Wind Instrument Repair Academy, and is also a member of Kansai Modern Music Association. He composes and arranges orchestral, wind and chamber music with commissions from various bands. He also directs amateur orchestras and city bands.

(Chang-Su Koh)