Symphony Orchestra / String Orchestra

27min.

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With this work, Fujikake became the first Japanese music composer to win the Queen Elisabeth Competition. This music is for a large symphony orchestra with 8 horns. It was inspired by ancient Japanese pottery, which has impressed rope and flame patterns and is thought to be the world’s oldest earthenware. We can imagine a continuum from the time of this pottery to the prosperity of Japanese people who live in the present. This spectacular piece of music tells of the beginning of our culture and emanates the energy of life.

Handwriting score (128pages). Check a part of sheet music ▶︎

– First performed by Belgian National Orchestra, conducted byGeorge Octors in Brussels in1977.
– Performed by Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hiro Fujikake
– Performed by Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Shunsaku Tsutsumi
– Performed by Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yuzo Toyama
– Performed by Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yukinori Tezuka

32min.

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Completed on 21st November, 2004
First performed on 19th May, 2005 at Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya Public Hall
Princess Hisako from Japanese royal family was attended and it was great success.

The best 30 members were selected for the only one night. The performance was with solo orchestra for the premier and later this work was rewritten for the full orchestra. The symphony is consisted of four movements. Hiro worked on it with his whole heart and soul into this piece for more than two and half years to complete. This music was inspired by history of IZUMO, where is believed as “the land of gods” described in “Kojiki”, the oldest extant manuscript of myths and legends in Japan, however the music does not depict the history or mythology. The main theme lies on on this piece is love and being thoughtful mind, and wishing “wold peace”. (184pages / Duration: approx.32min.)

Letter from Ralph Mace, music producer;
 I listened to the CD of Izumo yesterday. It is wonderful. I am so impressed and enjoyed it so much. It was a very cold day, so I went to my studio, turned up the heater and switched on the hi-fi (nice and loud!). Immediately I found myself in a totally new, powerful world. The dramatic impact is enormous, the melodies flow like a mighty river and the orchestral colorings are magical. Congratulations! What a long way it seems from the time we first met in my office in London. And how your talent has blossomed into something so very special.”

30min.

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First performed on 20th June, 1993
Commissioned by Gifu Symphony Orchestra for the 40th Anniversary.
Conducted by Hiro Fujikake at Gifu Civic Auditorium
Performed by Gifu Symphony Orchestra and Gifu Yanagase Taiko(Japanese drums)

Performed on 23rd November, 2003 for the 50th Anniversary
Conducted by Kazuhiko Komatsu at Suntory Hall
Performed by Gifu Symphony Orchestra

This music was initially inspired by Hiro’s homeland,Gifu where is surrounded by beautiful greenery, mountains  and rivers then his imagination moved on to the history as well as the great nature of Japan. 

Respecting classical structure, it’s been written to be totally new style of symphony with combining with Japanese traditional drums in the 4th movement. The 1st movement starts with the dramatic and mighty introduction. The beautiful horn melody changes the theme of the piece in the second movement and it plays an important role throughout the lest of the music. Hiro wishes this music tells the Japanese beautiful spirit to people all over the world. This is how it titled “JAPAN”. Use your imagination to feel Japan spirit! (144pages / Duration: approx.30min.)

1st Movement : Maestoso–Allegro con brio
2nd Movement :Andante con espressione
3rd Movement : Allegro Scherzando
4th Movement : Andante–Allegro con anima
( Duration : 30minutes )

At 50th Anniversary↓

15min.

The original music was for string orchestra with pipe organ(304), commissioned by Salamanca Hall in Japan ,where possesses a beautiful pipe organ. The original piece had a long wait to be performed more than 13 years from the completion of the composition. 

This music is inspired by various water sounds, such as spring water, a mountain stream, murmuring, a waterfall, a river, and so on. These sounds always create different rhythms that amuse people. There are many expressions about water in Japan, and Hiro likes the saying, “The flowing river never stops and yet the water never stays the same.” The sounds of water remind us of the greatness of the nature as well as our own existence. This music is based on his contemplation on various forms of water. The music consists of two movements. The first movement is an allegro in quintuple meter, and the second is an adagio. Hiro hopes that just as the blessings of water continue to enrich our life for years to come, in the same way this music will be played by many people around the world, since it had not seen the light of day for many years.

15min.

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This is the original version of “Aqua Rhythm”.
The story behind this commission is that Mr. Tsuji, who built the pipe organ for Salamanca Hall, wished to engage music created by a composer from Gifu prefecture.  He explained the detailed structure of the organ, and had Hiro listen to the sounds of the instrument for many hours. In response to his thoughts, Hiro started creating this music and completed it in 1998. However, the piece was completely shelved for many years since Mr. Tsuji passed away and staff came and went. Nobody even knew of the existence of this music for over 13 years.  It is not rare for composers’ music to go unheard for many years. For instance, the unfinished symphony by Schubert was first performed almost 37 years after his death and 43 years from its completion. By comparison, 13 years may not be such a long time to be shelved; however, Hiro was troubled by the parallel since he coincidentally has the same birthday as Schubert. Hiro didn’t want to let this music sit unplayed, so he rearranged it as “Aqua Rhythm for mandolin orchestra,” finally bringing it into the light.  Then, the plectrum quartet version was released and performed in Tokyo and became popular in many places.

In 2008, Muse-Factory.com was opened and contracted with Universal Music Publishing International in London and Hiro’s music was introduced worldwide. At the same time, the original version of “Aqua Rhythm” with pipe organ was released through the internet. By chance it got the attention of Mr. Kawamura from Gifu Chamber Ensemble and it finally had a chance to be performed at Salamanca Hall, where it was originally commissioned. The wish of Mr. Tsuji and his staff, as well as an element of fate allowed this miracle to happen. Since then it has been performed not only Asian countries but also in Europe.

15min.

The original music was for string orchestra with pipe organ(304), commissioned by Salamanca Hall in Japan ,where possesses a beautiful pipe organ. The original piece had long way to be performed more than 13 years from the completion of the composition. 

11min.

Handwriting score for wining pice from NHK Mainichi Music Competition. (24pages)
Check the a part of sheet music　▶︎
First performed by Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hiroshi Wakasugi at Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya Public Hall.

22min.

Handwriting score for the wining piece from Japan Symphony Foundation’s Composition Prize. (89 pages)
Check the a part of sheet music　▶︎
First performed by Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Yuzo Toyama at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

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