Peace, Peace, so Sing the Birds

From Wind Repertory Project
Yasuhide Ito

Yasuhide Ito


General Info

Year: 2018
Duration: c. 7:30
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Bravo Music
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $300.00   |   Score Only (print) - $20.00


Instrumentation

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

  • Bass Drum
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Crotales
  • Field Drum
  • Finger Cymbals
  • Glockenspiel
  • Marimba (optional)
  • Rin (high pitch)
  • Sleigh Bells
  • Snare Drum
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tom-Toms (2)
  • Triangles (2)
  • Wind Chimes
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

In January 2001, to mark the beginning of the 21st century, I wrote a celebratory overture titled Pacem et Gloriam pro Nobis (Peace and Glory for Us), commissioned by the Soka Gloria Wind Orchestra. It’s a gorgeous piece for large instrumentation including four bands in the auditorium. Pablo Casals, the legendary cellist, had performed The Song of the Birds (El cant dels ocells), a famous Catalonian folk tune with the lyrics; ‘Birds sing when they are in the sky, they sing: “Peace, Peace, Peace”', at the United Nations on 24th October 1971. I quoted this melody as a symbol of peace, and prayed that the 21st century would be a peaceful time.

However, the 9/11 terror attacks cruelly broke our prayers for peace. In addition, a great number of wars have taken place since. That’s why I have been writing a lot of pieces praying for peace.

Now, 17 years after the premiere of my Pacem et Gloriam pro Nobis, I have written a new edition, which can be played by a standard wind orchestra, commissioned by the Soka University Pioneer Wind Orchestra. I have added a new section at the beginning and another from bar 127 to 183. The orchestration has been totally changed, which is why I have given the piece the new title of Peace, Peace, so Sing the Birds.

Professor Masaki Yamaoka, the general advisor of the band, played in the Tsukuba University Band about 35 years ago under my direction. I am grateful to him for our great history together. The piece premiered on 7th July, 2018, at the regular concert of Soka University Pioneer Wind Orchestra, under the baton of the composer.

- Program Note by composer


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

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Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

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