Kimigayo

From Wind Repertory Project
Hiromori Hayashi

Hiromori Hayashi (arr. Japan Maritime Self-defense Force Band)


General Info

Year: 1880
Duration: c. 1:00
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Japan Maritime Self-defense Force Band of Tokyo
Cost: Score and Parts – Free download

For availability information, see Discussion tab, above.


Instrumentation

Flute
Oboe I-II
Bassoon
E-flat Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III
Trombone I-II-III
Baritone
Euphonium
Tuba
Percussion (2 players), including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Snare Drum

Solo Voice (optional)


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Kimigayo is the national anthem of Japan. Its lyrics are the oldest among the world's national anthems, and with a length of 11 measures and 32 characters Kimigayo is also one of the world's shortest. Its lyrics are from a waka poem written in the Heian period (794–1185), and the current melody was chosen in 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed eleven years earlier. While the title "Kimigayo" is usually translated as His Imperial Majesty's Reign, no official translation of the title or lyrics has been established in law.

Sources conflict over who composed the music. Historian Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney writes, "The composer is nominally identified as Hayashi Hiromori, a musician at the Imperial Court, but Oku Yoshiisa, who worked under Hayashi, is believed to have composed the music, with some rearrangement by Franz Eckert (1852–1916)." The melody that Hayashi was credited for replaced an arrangement by John William Fenton, a visiting Irish military band leader, that was rejected in 1870. The Court then adopted a new melody composed by Yoshiisa Oku and Akimori Hayashi. The composer is often listed as Hiromori Hayashi, who was their supervisor and Akimori's father. Akimori was also one of Fenton's pupils. The German musician Franz Eckert applied the melody with Western style harmony.

From 1888 to 1945 Kimigayo served as the national anthem of the Empire of Japan. When the Empire was dissolved following its surrender at the end of World War II, the State of Japan succeeded it in 1945. This successor state was a parliamentary democracy and the polity therefore changed from a system based on imperial sovereignty to one based on popular sovereignty. Emperor Hirohito was not dethroned, and Kimigayo was retained as the de facto national anthem. The passage of the Act on National Flag and Anthem in 1999 recognized it as the official national anthem.

- Program Note from Wikipedia


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources