Asuka

Tetsunosuke Kushida

General Info

Year: 1969 / 1981 / 1994
Duration: c. 8:45
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bravo Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print, digital) – 12,800 yen | Score Only - 1,300 yen

Instrumentation

Full Score
Piccolo
Flute I-II
Oboe I-II
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Soprano Clarinet
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III (div.)
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone (div.)
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Euphonium (div.)
Tuba
String Bass
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

Bass Drum
Crash Cymbal
Glockenspiel
Hyoshigi
Snare Drum
Suzu (Bell)
Tam-tam
Vibraphone
Xylophone

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

Descriptive of the ancient landscape of Asuka, a region in the central part of the Nara district in Japan, this delicate yet noble work beautifully captures a sense of antiquity. Strong folk inspired melodic lines are featured within a clearly defined orchestration.

-- Program Note from publisher

Award

3rd Japanese Band Directors Association Composition Prize, 1970, honorable mention

Media

Audio: Reference recording. Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band (Yoshihiro Kimura, conductor)
Audio CD: Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band (Yoshihiro Kimura, conductor) - 1998
Audio CD: Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra (Kazuyoshi Akiyama, conductor) - 1980

State Ratings

None discovered thus far.

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

Indiana University (Bloomington) Concert Band (Yoshiaki Tanno, conductor) - 3 March 1998
Southwest Texas State University (San Marcos) Wind Ensemble (John C. Stansberry, conductor) - 1 February 1990 (CBDNA 1990 Southwestern Division Conference, Norman, Okla.)

Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music

Collage for Flexible Ensemble (Flex instrumentation) (1978/1981/2018)
Little Suite for Flexible Band (Flex instrumentation) (2012)
Wind Story (Flex instrumentation) (2016)

All Wind Works

Asuka (1969/1981/1994)
Autumn in Heian-Kyo (1995)
Clouds in Collage (1994)
Collage (1978)
Collage for Flexible Ensemble (Flex instrumentation) (1978/1981/2018)
Figuration for Shakuhachi and Band (1983)
Genroku (1993/2014)
Ikaruga (1987/1997)
Little Suite for Flexible Band (Flex instrumentation) (2012)
Ritual Fire (1980/1998)
Steps by Starlight (1997)
Three Scenes from Japanese Tunes (1987/2007)
Wind Story (Flex instrumentation) (2016)

Resources

Desjardins, Kelly (2018). Fence, Flavor, and Phantasm: Balancing Japanese Musical Elements and Western Influence within an Historical and Cultural Context. University of North Texas.
Kushida, T. (1981). Auska [score]. Kosei: [Japan].