The fleetingness of life, sung by the voice of the poet Takuboku. And the children’s choir, singing Issa’s poems, haikus, brief clouds of sound, quickly swept away. And the mirror where the poet suddenly gazes at himself, the faces of the present and the past suddenly merged, and the vision of the white boat approaching the shore, death as a peaceful and precious gift. And the seasons that will continue to follow the seasons…
This work was required for the baccalauréat music option in 2013 and 2014.
Recordings, audio excerpts: CD “Nativités profanes”, Label Inconnu LI 09-1001, distribution Codæx. Maîtrise de la Loire conducted by Jacques Berthelon. Tenor Dominique Bonnetain, accordion Mylène Lubrano, chromatic gongs Bruno Lebreton.
The CD “Bac 2013-2014” Label Inconnu LI 12-1001, distribution Codæx has the same recording.
Difficulty rating: moderate to difficult
Issa, Takuboku
Japanese
Texts collected and set down in a booklet by the composer.
Solo tenor, children’s choir (SMA), with divisi and soloists, accordion and chromatic gongs (Paiste gongs)
Duration: approximately 13 minutes
Cycle in 24 short parts