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A Prayer for Higashi Nihon (score)

A Prayer for Higashi Nihon (score)

  • Composer: Barnes, James
  • Grade: 3
  • Duration: 6:30
  • Genre: Lyrical
  • Publisher: Brain Music
  • Item No: COMS-85065A
  • Inventory status: In stock


$10.00
Score
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Bb Clarinet 1 (div.)
Bb Clarinet 2/3
Bb Bass Clarinet
Bb Contrabass Clarinet
Eb Alto Saxophone 1/2
Bb Tenor Saxophone
Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bb Trumpet 1
Bb Trumpet 2/3
F Horn 1/2
Trombone 1/2
Trombone 3
Euphonium
Tuba (div.)
String Bass

Timpani
[Mallet 1] Bells, Chimes
[Mallet 2] Chimes, Vibraphone
[Percussion 1 & 2] Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Crash Cymbals, Triangle, Mark Tree
[Percussion 3 & 4] Suspended Cymbal, Tam-tam, Bass Drum

Commissioned in 2011 by the Zushi High School in Kanagawa, Japan for their 90th year establishment commemoration.

"It is very different in some ways: very sad at the beginning, then a little 'daylight'in the middle before the 'dark clouds'come back at the end." (James Barnes)

It is one thing to read about a tragedy or to see footage of the aftermath of such an event; it is an entirely different thing to actually witness something as horrifying as a tsunami when it is actually happening. Having been to Japan over thirty-five times in my career, I know how well Japan prepares for earthquakes and tsunamis. But this time it was completely different: these waves were so huge that they consumed everything in their path. I watched the television coverage with tears in my eyes. It was so sad to see such a tragic event happen to one of my favorite places in the world. But when nature takes over, human beings have no control.

When composing A Prayer for Higashi Nihon, I made no attempt to describe this disaster; that would have been in poor taste. Besides, it would have been impossible to portray such a horrible thing. I decided instead to compose a threnody, a solemn prayer, for all the victims of this horrible event, many whom were never found. Even then, I could not help but remember how horrified I was while watching those waves. It is something I shall never forget.
(James Barnes)