Kitsune: The Fox Spirits
General Info
Year: 2010
Duration: c. 4:45
Difficulty: II (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: FJH Music Company
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $55.00; (digital) - $55.00 | Score Only (print) - $9.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I/Alto Recorder/Soprano Recorder
Flute II/ Soprano Recorder
Oboe/Soprano Recorder
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II
Horn in F
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
Guitar (Koto)
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III-IV-V, including:
- Bass Drum
- Bongos
- Crash Cymbals
- Marimba
- Suspended Cymbal
- Tambourine
- Tam-tam
- Temple Blocks
- Tenor Drum
- Vibraphone
- Wind Chimes
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Inspired by Japanese folklore, this incredibly colorful work is based on two authentic folksongs that are both related to the mythical kitsune, or “fox spirits.” The use of alto and soprano recorders and unique keyboard/percussion effects helps create timbres and textures not often found in works at this level. A mysterious opening portrays an owl guarding a forest against wolves and kitsune. This moves into a vivid and wild depiction of the malicious yako (the mischievous trickster). The music then relaxes to depict the zenko, the benevolent kitsune. Eventually, the two compete against each other as the music comes to a riveting conclusion and percussionists transform into a massive taiko drum ensemble.
- Program Note from publisher
Commissioned by the Gravelly Hill Middle School Bands, Efland, North Carolina, Arris A. Golden, Director.
- Program Note from score
Commercial Discography
- Audio CD: Kealing Middle School Wind Ensemble (Sara Robison, conductor) - 2010
Media
State Ratings
- Indiana: ISSMA JH/MS/ELEM BAND GROUP II
- North Carolina: III
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Winfield (W.V.) Middle School Band – 11 April 2019
- Kealing Middle School (Austin, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Sara Robison, conductor) – 16 December 2010 (2010 Midwest Clinic)
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Arabian Dances (Adaptable Band) (2009/2021)
- Arith-Metric No. 1 (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Blue Ridge Reel (Adaptable Band) (2013/2020)
- Colliding Visions (Adaptable Band) (2010/2020)
- Focal Point (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Focal Point. See also: Suite Treats
- Jungle Dance (Adaptable Band) (2011/2022)
- A Little Matrix Music (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Moscow, 1941 (Adaptable Band) (2006/2020)
All Wind Works
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- Action Scene (2022)
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- Always United, Forever Strong (2013)
- American Big Top (2018)
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- Apollo (2008)
- Apparitions (2010)
- Arabian Dances (2009)
- Arabian Dances (Adaptable Band) (2009/2021)
- Arctic Wars (2020)
- Arith-Metric No. 1 (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- The Awakening (2003)
- Backstage Pass (2015)
- Beyond the Summit (2004)
- Blue Ridge Impressions (2001)
- Blue Ridge Reel (2013)
- Blue Ridge Reel (Adaptable Band) (2013/2020)
- Boom and Bust (2018)
- Breaking Point (2019)
- Breaking Through (2021)
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- The Broken Marionette (2014)
- Call of the Wild (2013)
- Camptown Variations (2001)
- Centennium (2021)
- Central Junction (2011)
- Chant and Savage Dance (2005)
- Chesapeake Serenade (2002)
- Clutch (2023)
- Colliding Visions (2010)
- Colliding Visions (Adaptable Band) (2010/2020)
- Comet Ride (2006)
- Concerto for Two Hands (2015)
- Conquest (2003)
- Courtly Dance and Procession (2004)
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- The Crystal Fountain (2022)
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- Eagles Among Us (2017)
- Electricity (2009)
- Elements (2010)
- Emblazoned (2023)
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- Escapades (2005/2017)
- Escape from the Deep (2010)
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- Flight of the Griffin (2003)
- Focal Point (Adaptable Band) (2021)
- Focal Point. See also: Suite Treats
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- Fusion (2007)
- Gateways (2018)
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- Grace (2016)
- Gravity Wave (2011)
- Groove Music (2013)
- Haunted Clocks (2014)
- Heart of Gold (2020)
- A Hero's Destiny (1999)
- Homage to Bharat (2018)
- A House Divided (2013)
- Hypnotic Fireflies (2012)
- Ichabod Fanfare (2011)
- Images of Ireland (2004)
- In Nature's Glory (2002)
- Incantation and Ritual (2004)
- Industrial Loops (2017)
- Infinite Hope (2018)
- Instant Christmas Spirit (2001)
- Into the Arctic (2015)
- Invictus (2000)
- Jingle Bell Tones (2004)
- Journal for a Soldier (2010)
- Journey By Night (1998)
- Joy in All Things (2012)
- Joy of Life (2015)
- Jungle Dance (2011)
- Jungle Dance (Adaptable Band) (2011/2022)
- Kilauea (2005)
- Kindred Spirits (2009)
- Kitsune: The Fox Spirits (2010)
- Kyiv, 2022 (2022)
- Legacy (2002)
- Legend (2001)
- Legend of the Drop Bear (2016)
- A Life Worth Living (2023)
- A Light at the End of Forever (2016)
- A Little Matrix Music (Adaptable Band) (2020)
- Lone, Wild Bird (as arranger) (c. 1835/2023)
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- Love and Light (2020)
- Lullaby to the Moon (2017)
- Majestica (2006)
- Marche Diabolique (2014)
- Metal (2013)
- Metamorphic Dances (2019)
- Midnight on Main Street (2009)
- Midnight Suite
- Midnight Mission (2005)
- Midnight Sky (2006)
- Midnight Madness (2007)
- Miles of Blue (2020)
- Miramar Fanfare (2003)
- Moscow, 1941 (2006)
- Moscow, 1941 (Adaptable Band) (2006/2020)
- Motion (2006)
- Nevermore (2011)
- Not Afraid to Dream (2006)
- The Nutcracker (as arranger) (2008)
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- Of Emperors and Chariots (2000)
- Olympia (2005)
- On Top of the World (2017)
- Open Space (2014)
- Parade of the Jesters (2002)
- Pele (2004)
- Phasing Thunder (2014)
- Pikes Peak (2019)
- Pixelated World (2020)
- Pride of the Clipper (2020)
- Primal Dances (2018)
- Proclamation (2000)
- Proudly We Hail (as arranger) (1814/2002)
- Radiance (2018)
- Raging Machines (2008)
- Rain (2008)
- Rapture (2022)
- Renaissance Reimagined (2017)
- Reverberations (2009)
- Rhythms and Riffs (2008)
- Rippling Watercolors (2015)
- Rise of the Bladesmith (2012)
- Rite of Passage (2000)
- Rocky Mountain Romp (2007)
- Sapier's Story (2002)
- Scenes from an Ocean Voyage (2009)
- A Scottish Festival (2021)
- Shadow Waltzes (2016)
- Shadows Unleashed (2013)
- Shenandoah Triptych (2002)
- Shrine of the Fallen (2016)
- Silence Overwhelmed (2010)
- Smithsonian Suite (2003)
- A Solitary Wish (2017/2018)
- Sound Prisms (2002)
- Sparks (2007)
- The Spirit of Aloha (2015)
- Spirit of the Stallion (2016)
- Spontaneous Beings (2017)
- Stages (2021)
- Stampede (2010)
- Star Above, Shine Brightly (2001)
- The Star-Spangled Banner (as arranger) (1814/2014)
- Starscapes (2007)
- Starsplitter Fanfare (2009)
- Still (2012)
- Suite Treats. See: Focal Point
- Summer Dances (2000)
- Summer Resounding! (2008)
- Summit City (2006)
- Sun Cycles (2012)
- Super (Em)Powers (2020)
- Swirling Prisms (2017)
- Symphonic Episodes (2004)
- Symphony No. 1 for Brass (1998)
- Synthesis (2016)
- The Tears of Arizona (2016)
- Temple of the Murals (2011)
- That Which Binds Us (2015)
- Three Celtic Dances (2008)
- Thrill Ride (2019)
- Through Courageous Eyes (2003)
- Through the Mist (2009)
- Thunderbolt Fanfare (2019)
- To Dance Among the Stars (2020)
- Tomorrow's Yesterdays (2011)
- Trust in Angels (2017)
- Twittering Machine (2017)
- Unknown (2022)
- A View of the World (2001)
- Waves (2007)
- Whale Warriors (2009)
- What I Do Today... (2022)
- When Spirits Soar (2006)
- Whispering Winds (2003)
- The Wild One! (2023)
- Winged Victory (2007)
- Wings to the Mind (2021)
- Winter Dances (2001)
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Resources
- Brian Balmages website Accessed 25 June 2021
- Perusal score