This melodic piece is a burst of energetic expression of song and dance, by a people who holds a great desire for peace and harmony.

An Ainu folk song was integrated in “Fantasy Variations”, a piece I have composed for the euphonium and wind band 26 years ago, and is still widely popular among euphonium players. The Ainu tribe is native to northern Japan, the area under the jurisdiction of the Northern Air Self-Defense Force. This piece is commissioned by its band. I composed this new piece, employing the same Ainu folk song then.

 

Meanwhile, I also aimed to discover how my composition style then contrasts with my current methodology.

The sub-title “Dance-Impromptu” is derived from Yay-sama Rimse. “Yay-sama” translates into “Impromptu”, or “Song of Love” in the Ainu language, while “Rimse” means “round dance”.

Yay-sama Rimse was first performed on 13 March 2016 by the band of the Northern Air Self-Defense Force, with Mr. Tomohide Watanabe as conductor.

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Instrumentation

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Piccolo
Flutes in C(div.)
Oboe 1, 2 (opt.)
Bassoon 1, 2 (opt.)
Clarinet in Eb
Clarinet in Bb 1, 2, 3
Bass Clarinet in Bb

Alto Saxophone 1, 2
Tenor Saxophone 
Baritone Saxophone

 

Trumpets in Bb 1, 2, 3 (also Cornets if available)
Horns in F 1, 2, 3, 4
Trombone 1, 2, 3
Euphonium (div.)
Tuba (div.)

String Bass (div.)

Timpani
Percussion 1 - Castanets, 2 Toms, Snare Drum, Bass Drum
Percussion 2 - Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbals, Triangle, Tam-tam
Percussion 3 - Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Vibraphone

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