Composer

:

Takashi Yoshimatsu

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Threnody

Compose Date

:

1980

Average_duration

:

12:47

Threnody to Toki, Op. 12 is a composition by Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu. It was composed in 1980 and premiered on November 22, 1980, by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hiroshi Wakasugi. The piece is written for a large orchestra, including strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. The composition is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement, marked "Lento," is a mournful and somber elegy. The music is characterized by long, sustained notes in the strings and woodwinds, with occasional bursts of dissonance in the brass and percussion. The overall effect is one of sadness and loss. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and energetic scherzo. The music is characterized by fast, rhythmic passages in the strings and woodwinds, with playful interjections from the brass and percussion. The overall effect is one of joy and celebration. The third and final movement, marked "Adagio," is a return to the mournful and somber mood of the first movement. The music is characterized by long, sustained notes in the strings and woodwinds, with occasional bursts of dissonance in the brass and percussion. The overall effect is one of resignation and acceptance. Threnody to Toki, Op. 12 is a deeply emotional and expressive work, reflecting the composer's interest in the natural world and his concern for the environment. The piece is dedicated to the Japanese crested ibis, or toki, a bird that was once common in Japan but is now critically endangered. The music is intended to evoke the beauty and fragility of the natural world, and to express the composer's sadness at the loss of this once-common bird. Overall, Threnody to Toki, Op. 12 is a powerful and moving work, showcasing Yoshimatsu's skill as a composer and his deep emotional connection to the natural world.

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