Ancient Songs for solo soprano
Koji Nakano
About this work:
Ancient Songs (2007)
The first song Ancient Voices explores primitive singing. It demonstrates various vocal gestures, such as the hand trill, as well as cupping or covering the mouth. For the second song, Ritual Song, a soprano sings a repetitive melody inspired by Minyoo (a melismatic style of Japanese folk singing), while playing finger cymbals. The rhythmic patterns of finger cymbals celebrate the continuing friendship between Japan and the United States. The third song, Lullaby for All, is a tribute to the Japanese lullabies of my childhood. Throughout the piece, a soprano sings simple melodies while playing two chords continuously on a miniature electric keyboard. In this last song a mother croons a tender lullaby to her child.
Ancient Voices is dedicated to nature Gods. Ritual Song is dedicated to people who participated in the 14th Annual Harumatsuri (“Spring Festival”) at the United Nations International School (UNIS) Theater. And Lullaby for All is dedicated to soprano Stacey Fraser, who recently gave birth to a baby girl.
Ancient Song commissioned by the Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese and its 14th Annual Harumatsuri was premiered at the opening ceremony by Stacey Fraser at the UNIS theater in New York City on March 25, 2008.
Year composed: 2007
Duration: 00:05:30
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Solo Voice without Accompaniment
Instrumentation: 1 Electric/Electronic Keyboard, 1 Other Percussion Instrument(s)
Instrumentation notes: A set of finger cymbals