Nostalgie Fragile

This piece is an arrangement for wind ensemble of a work originally composed in 2018 for a koto trio. Within the context of traditional Japanese music, it is categorized as a contemporary koto piece. While grounded in Western musical language, it blends traditional and modern playing techniques of the koto. Over the years, it has been widely embraced by younger generations as an ensemble piece, frequently featured in national competitions such as the National High School Cultural Festival's Japanese Music Division.
The inspiration to arrange this piece for wind ensemble came from the idea of gently bridging the world of wind music - enjoyed mainly through school clubs and university circles - with that of Japanese music (specifically koto repertoire). By connecting these two musical domains through a concrete work, I hoped to foster mutual appreciation, stimulate creative exchange, and contribute to the further enrichment of Japanese musical culture.
The following is an excerpt from the original program note written for its premiere performance.

- Fragile, Nostalgic, and Distant Memories of Summer-
This piece was written with "summer" as its central theme. Fireflies illuminating the twilight, dazzling fireworks in vivid colors, the piercing chorus of cicadas, the freshness of morning glories...
To me, summer is a profoundly nostalgic season. Memories from long ago seem to be etched deeply within the heart, yet the more one tries to recall them, the more they dissolve like bubbles. Fragile and fleeting, these memories blur together, giving rise to an imagined, dreamlike landscape of summer that may never have existed at all.


December 9, 2024
Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble Concert
Conductor: Norichika Iimori


Commissioned by: Saitama Prefectural Koshigaya High School Wind Ensemble
World Premiere: The 66th Saitama Prefecture Band Competition (2025)
Conductor: Toshiyuki Kishi
Performance: Saitama Prefectural Koshigaya High School Wind Ensemble

(Noel Hiyamizu)