Uguisu-Kagura Z

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Description +
- This piece was commissioned by percussionist Miyabi Ikebe and dedicated to Amagasaki Municipal High School.
  
  "Uguisu-Kagura" is the name of a small red flower that blooms in early spring when the Japanese bird uguisu (Japanese bush warbler) begins singing. It is said that the flower was named "Uguisu-Kagura" because the sight of the uguisu pecking at its fruit resembles a sacred "Kagura" dance, a form of dedication through dance and music offered to the gods at Shinto shrines and temples in Japan.
  
  With the flower’s meanings of "looking toward a bright future" and "hope for tomorrow," it is also regarded as a symbol of peace and harmony.
  
  This piece blends the traditional scales of two distinct musical cultures: Gagaku, Japan’s oldest form of court music, and Gregorian chant, sung in medieval Europe between the 5th and 10th centuries as a prayer to God. There are many religions around the world, each with its own deities and beliefs. However, I strongly hope for a world where all of them are respected—where people, regardless of religion or race, recognize and accept one another. This hope is embedded in "Uguisu-Kagura." Just as Gagaku and Gregorian chant harmonize within this piece, I envision a future where diverse cultures and faiths resonate together in harmony.
  
  "Uguisu-Kagura Z" is a percussion octet based on the original marimba solo piece, "Uguisu-Kagura." It transforms and expands upon the original by incorporating five types of keyboard percussion and three types of drums, along with Japanese taiko, gongs, and other Asian percussion instruments. Each part is designed to shine uniquely while contributing to the whole. As the piece progresses, the interplay of resonant sounds and dynamic rhythms grows in intensity, like flowers dancing in the wind or hearts beating in unison, culminating in a brilliant and exhilarating climax.
  
  I hope that Generation Z, brimming with energy and optimism for the future, will fully unleash their potential through "Uguisu-Kagura Z." May their passionate performance inspire visions of a peaceful and hopeful tomorrow and help shape a harmonious future.
Instrumentation +
- Glockenspiel
  With Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, and Tubular Bells
  
  Xylophone
  With Marimba (4 oct.), Snare Drum, and Suspended Cymbal
  
  Vibraphone
  With Chanchiki (or high pitch metal instrument) and Snare Drum
  
  Marimba 1 (4 oct.)
  With Shime Daiko (or Snare Drum)
  
  Marimba 2 (Bass Marimba or 5 oct.)
  With Snare Drum
  
  Percussion 1
  Shime Daiko (or Conga), Bass Drum, and Tubular Bells
  
  Percussion 2
  2 Wood Blocks, Bongos, Bass Drum, China Gong, Crotales, and Tam-tam (small)
  
  Percussion 3
  3 Toms, Bass Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Kagura Suzu (or Sleigh Bells), and Tam-tam (large)
About the composer +
- Kana Omori is an international marimbist. Ms. Omori has released four solo marimba albums, “Je Te Veux,” “Cappriccio Grazioso,” “Siguiriya Gitana” and “Café de KANA,” as well as a duet CD, “Duo KAtriNA,” with the Swiss flutist, Katrin Huggler-Locher. She has also published a book of her arrangements for marimba, “Masterpieces of Classical Music on Marimba Vol. 1” and a collection of essays “Meine Träume (My Dreams)”.
  
  She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at the Osaka College of Music. Additionally, Ms. Omori completed a graduate degree at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany in the class of Prof. Dr. Peter Sadlo.
  
  She has been awarded several prizes, including the First Prize at the International Music Competition in Kobe, Japan in 2006 and the First Prize and “Absolute Prize” at the International Percussion Competition in Italy, in 2010, where she was also awarded a special prize from jury member N. J. Zivkovic. In 2011 she was awarded the Cultural Prize of the city of Kyoto. In 2018 she is invited to perform at PASIC 2018.
  
  Ms. Omori has performed as a marimba soloist with many orchestras throughout Japan and has appeared on several Japanese television and radio broadcasts. She was a member of the jury for the final round of The Japan Classical Music Competition. She is always interested in performing and recording new works written especially for her as well as world premieres.
  
  She has given recitals and clinics around Europe, the USA, Hong Kong and Japan as a PEARL /ADAMS Percussion Instruments and Encore Mallets Inc. artist. Fall Creek Marimbas designed a new glockenspiel model named after Kana Omori - the “KANA-Glock”. Encore Mallets Inc. offers “Kana Omori Signature Mallets Series”.
  
  Kana Omori Official Web Site: http://kana-mallets.com
Credits +
- Front Cover graphics and layout: Nicola Lee
  Engraving: Kana Omori
  Printed in Copenhagen, Denmark
  Copyright © Edition SVITZER
  www.editionsvitzer.com

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