Kobiki-Uta for Band
Kiyoshige KOYAMA (b.1914)

This four-movement work consists of variations on a kobiki-uta, a woodcutter’s work song from the southern Japanese island of Kyushu. The composer originally wrote the work for orchestra, a version first performed in 1957, but arranged it for band in 1970 in response to many requests. The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra performed the latter version for the first time back in 1970. In the first movement, “Theme”, a solitary woodcutter working deep in the mountains sings to break the monotony of his labour. The tenor introduces and develops the kobiki-uta theme against a background evoking the sound of wood being sawed. Eventually, a distant temple bell is heard, signaling evening.

  “When you lived up in the mountains
The root of the tree is your pillow
If your head slips off, stone is your pillow”

The second movement, “Bon Odori” (Bon Dance), evokes the group dances of the midsummer Bon festival. Following a lively flute and drum prelude, some instruments set the rhythm and tempo while others provide harmony. Humorous mimicry of the rhythmic cries accompanying Bon dances rises to a climax, ending the movement. Effective use is made of the Japanese odaiko drum to evoke the festive mood of traditional Bon dances.

  The lively third movement, “Asa no Uta” (Morning Song), evokes the cool freshness of morning. The melodic line, a variation of the first movement theme, is punctuated by the clear, sharp sounds of glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba and piano.

• Listen to a recording of Kobiki-Uta by The Philharmonic Winds: Movt I, Movt II, Movt III, Movt IV

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