PRAYER IN THE LIGHT OF THE SOUL

Ensemble
Can be performed either as a percussion quartet or as a wind & percussion quintet

Composer
Hiroyuki Yamazawa

Performance Duration
Approx. 5 min. 00 sec.

*The performance time is based on the reference sound source, so it will vary depending on the performance method and tempo.
Reference sound source: JPC ENSEMBLE COLLECTION Vol.12 (CD)

Difficulty
Upper Intermediate

There are no particularly difficult passages overall, but from measure 30 the 7/8 meter can easily feel unsteady and may rush toward measure 86. Keep your focus on the first beat of each bar and take special care with the treatment of the seventh beat.
Perc. 1 should play without too much force until the middle section; from measure 159 (marked Furioso), the other parts support Perc. 1’s drive, building intensity together until the ending.

Saxophone is optional, but adding it enriches the overall texture.

The above is only one example of interpretation.

[Composer’s Note]
In early 2012, on the eve of a concert in Nagoya, I received the sudden news of my best friend’s passing late at night in my hotel room.
The performance the next day, and the week that followed, were filled with emotions I had never experienced in my life—feelings of emptiness and despair that left me unable to move.

In that moment, I happened to notice a message he had left on my phone. It was just a casual, ordinary email, ending with the words:
“I’m a fan of your music. If you write something new, send it to me.”

That was so typical of him. And so, I decided to write this piece.
It is not filled with prayer-like gestures or phrases of mourning.
It is simply my thoughts, my memories—woven into music.

[Instrument used]

・Marimba (F21-C76 4-1/2 octave)*

・Vibraphone (F33-F69 3 octaves), Claves, Triangle (3),

・Percussion 1: Low Tom*2, Suspended Cymbal, Chime (C-F 1-1/2 octave), Wind Chime, Guiro, Bongo, Conga (2)

・Percussion 2: Timpani (3), Tam-tam, Bass Drum, Ocean Drum, Tom-tom (2), High Pitched Metal Plate (or Metal Tube)

・Alto Saxophone (Optional)

* If a 5-octave marimba (C16–C76) is available, the notes in parentheses in the score may be performed.
** To be played using a superball.

Part 5 (Alto Saxophone) is optional—the piece can be performed without it.

*Please note that we cannot accept returns or exchanges due to incorrect purchases.