Dai-Kagura
for Band
Kiyoshige KOYAMA
(b.1914)
The music was composed at the request of the Tokyo Music
College in April, 1971. Its was first performed in Shibuya Public Hall, Tokyo on
May 22, 1971 by the Tokyo Music College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, conducted by
Chiaki Murakawa.
Some materials in this piece are originally taken from one of
the “Kagura - bayshi” (Shinto music and dance) which has been handed down
from olden times in Yawata Village, Sarashina Country, Nagano prefecture.
The performance of the “Kagura - bayshi” consists of the
dance with the lion’s mask or the comical acting with funny masks of
“Okame” (a moon-faced woman) and “Hyottoko” (a clown) in conjunction
with the playing of flutes, drums, gong, etc featuring their humourous
character. And the composer’s intention is to represent the rustic, vigourous
flavour and atmosphere with this piece of music.