Composer’s introduction
Restless Age《揺らぐ時代》
I gave this work the subtitle Restless Age.
Amid the turmoil of world affairs, I live in a relatively peaceful country. Yet, as someone living in the same world, I wanted to leave a musical expression of my feelings about what is happening today, and so I composed this work.
The first movement portrays people whose peaceful daily lives are taken away by war as they are drawn into chaos. Relentless air raids bring tension that allows not a moment of peace. Hatred gives rise to further hatred, and the situation continues with no end in sight. I put that oppressive weight into this movement.
The second movement portrays families enduring sorrow and supporting one another as they go on living. Even in such days, song and music remain beside them. I sought to express a world in which people encourage one another through song, even in difficult circumstances.
In the third movement, family members too must go to the battlefield and fight. Amid those harsh days, they sing as if murmuring, thinking of their families. In that passage, I use rubato throughout, allowing the tempo to move flexibly. Toward the end, a phrase from the first movement returns, and the music enters the conflict once again.
Originally, the opening of the third movement included a folk-music phrase inspired by a particular region. However, I did not want the work to be understood as expressing a particular political position, so I removed that passage.
As one person living in this unreasonable world, I hope that peace will come as soon as possible to those suffering from war.
Watch on YouTubeConcert hall: BAO-Y HALL WARSAW ↗
Watch on YouTubeWatch the second movement
Restless Age《揺らぐ時代》
The second movement portrays families enduring sorrow and supporting one another as they go on living. Even in such days, song and music remain beside them. I sought to express a world in which people encourage one another through song, even in difficult circumstances.
Concert hall: BAO-Y HALL WARSAW ↗
