Musica Ethnote by Hiroaki Kataoka

Performer: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Band, Tokyo Conductor: Cmdr. Yoshio Higuchi Now digital sheet music available! Musica Ethnote Hiroaki Kataoka Grade 4 Time 8:20 Z-YDOK-J16S Our e-commerce website https://www.bravomusic-inc.com/index.... Follow us on Facebook!   / bravomusicband   Program Notes This piece was commissioned by the School Band of Yokohama City Nakayama Junior High School and premiered at the Yokosuka Arts Theatre in July 2017. In composing this work, I experimented with a variety of musical styles: oriental sonorities, the dynamic energy of Russian music, scales inspired by the Middle East and China, and a symphonic sound. I was eager to take the music in a different direction from my previous works and to create something filled with optimism. However, at the time of writing I had already completed five concert band works in just four months and was nearly exhausted. Even under such circumstances, I poured my wholehearted desire to create something truly worthwhile into every note on the staff. The resulting piece has become a personal badge of honor and a treasured work that holds a special place in my heart. The title Musica Ethnote is a combination of three words: musica, meaning music; ethno, referring to something exotic or ethnic; and note, referring to musical notes. I would be delighted if many bands performed this work and if its music could resonate deeply with audiences around the world. Performance Notes In the opening clarinet passage and the saxophone ensemble, pay particular attention to the tone color of each section. The quarter notes in measure 17 should be played with a full, expressive singing quality, while the music in measure 18 should convey a sense of tenderness and warmth. The tenuto markings should not be interpreted merely as instructions to sustain the notes fully. They can also be understood as an invitation to bring out the mood and resonance of the music and to play with a rich, singing quality. In the up-tempo section beginning at D, approach the music with tremendous energy, tension, and forward momentum—so much so that the listener is given no moment to relax. The first half of the piece unfolds through a rapid succession of dramatic musical developments. Please choose an appropriate tone color for each scene and musical character. In the middle section, bring the rich, warm sound of the woodwind sections to the forefront. Shaping the musical phrases with expressive dynamic contrasts will create a sense of comfort and musical flow. At Y, pay close attention to the direction and movement of the notes, and bring the piece to its conclusion with a confident, energetic performance full of vitality and momentum.