Myth for Symphonic Band, A

From Wind Repertory Project
Hiroshi Ohguri

Hiroshi Ohguri


This work may be known by its Japanese title, " Shin-Wa."


General Info

Year: 1973 / 1989
Duration: c. 13:30
Difficulty: (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Teeda Publishing
Cost: Score and Parts - 38,500 yen


Instrumentation

Piccolo (doubling Flute II)
Flute
Oboe
Bassoon I-II
E-flat Clarinet
B-flat Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Cornet I-II-III
Trumpet in B-flat I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III-IV
Trombone I-II-III
Bass Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba
Contrabass
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bongo
  • Conga
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Maracas
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tam-Tam
  • Triangle
  • Wood Block


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Created for and first performed by the Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band in 1973 to commemorate its 50th anniversary, this programmatic work portrays a famous Japanese myth. The sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami, has hidden herself in a cave, thus depriving the world of light. The other deities gather to think of a scheme to lure her out. They make a rooster crow loudly, after which the goddess Ame no Uzume no Mikoto performs a humorous, bawdy dance. The other deities clap in time and finally burst into uproarious laughter at her antics. Amaterasu, her curiosity piqued, peers out of the cave to see what is going on, whereupon a burly god grabs her firmly by the hand and pulls her out. Thus, light is restored to the world.

The composition is divided into three main segments - slow, fast, and slow. The first part sets the mood of ancient times and evokes the darkening of the world as Amaterasu secludes herself. It opens with a rapidly descending woodwind motif, after which lower-voiced instruments display the darkness and anxiety enveloping the world as Amaterasu hides in the cave. In the second part, muted cornets and trumpets mimic the rooster crowing as percussion establish the lively tempo of Uzume’s dance and capture the raucous laughter of the gods. A woodwind andante follows, suggesting Amaterasu’s puzzlement. The dance resumes, and a new theme is introduced. In the final section, the music swells to a climax, the gong sounds, and the music slows as Amaterasu peers out of the cave and is pulled out. The rejoicing of the gods is expressed by an assertive brass declaration, as the opening woodwind theme returns and the piece draws to an abrupt close.

In addition to composing many works for wind orchestra, Hiroshi Ohguri (1918-82), was a horn player in a number of leading Japanese orchestras. He was also professor of music at Kyoto Women’s University and a lecturer at the Osaka College of Music.

- Program Note from Hijiyama (Japan) Girls Junior & Senior High School Wind Orchestra concert program, 11 February 2016


Media

(Needed - please join the WRP if you can help.)


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

  • Ohguri, H. (1989). A Myth: For Symphonic Band [score]. Ongaku no Tomo Sha: Tokyo, Japan.