Mamoru Samuragoch :Symphony no.1 "Hiroshima"

[lechner1110]

  Hello Friends,

  Today, I introduce about Symphony by Japanese composer Mamoru Samuragoch
  Samuragoch, who was born in Hiroshima at 1963,
  He is a self-taught musician. Because he denied contemporary music , so he did not enter University of music.
  He suffered migraines since high school, and at age of 35 he completely lost his hearing.
  But relying on his absolute pitch, he was able to continue writing music and finished Symphony No. 1 in 2003.
  This Symphony was played for the first time at Hiroshima in 2008 , and Tokyo in 2010.

  This symphony written is late romantic style and strong influenced by Mahler and Bruckner. (three movements and lasts roughly 80 minutes.)
  I attend to first performance at Tokyo in April.2011.
  After sounding final chord, many many audience rise from a sitting position and enthusiastic applause continued.


  This symphony was released as a CD by Nippon Columbia.
  ( HMV Japan webpage http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/4081378)

  More information of this composer and symphony is here
  http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20110809f3.html
 

  And final movement of this symphony is able to listen on Youtube

  Kazuyoshi Akiyama (cond) /  Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra /  Maybe from first performance at Hiroshima in 2008

  Part.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TQPgVMQ600&feature=related
  Part.2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pED5OICGVp0&feature=related
  Part.3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6rEeASHo64&feature=related

  This symphony draws Tragedy of Hiroshima. So music covered with heavy clouds and screaming. (Maybe too heavy to listen in Sunday morning.)
  But , Please don't stop listening before start of final part.  ( This part called ' Chorale of toward to Heaven ' )

  I hope this symphony will performed all around the country
 

 

[Mark Thomas]

Atsushi, the final part is indeed quite lovely. Thanks so much for yet another discovery.

[jerfilm]

It is most lovely, Atsushi, especially when you think of it in context with the event.  I read John Hershey's masterpiece "Hiroshima" when I was 15 and it made a life-long impression on my life.  Thanks......

Jerry

[halfdef Hugh]

Two years have passed since the last post, and apparently no one here---or perhaps in the Western World---has recognized this piece for what it is---a successful challenge to all of European music history of the past 100 years.  I have often wondered:  what would have happened if Mahler's vision had prevailed instead of Schoenberg's?  Here is the answer.  Check it out!

[Alan Howe]

...what would have happened if Mahler's vision had prevailed instead of Schoenberg's?

It didn't. We're into a post-atonal world now where virtually anything goes...

[eschiss1]

Schoenberg, as usual, is getting blame he doesn't deserve, but never mind. Off topic, as usual, both the off-hand swipe and my response to it.

[Mark Thomas]

Maybe one of the obstacles to Samouragochi's Symphony (which I rate very highly btw) gaining recognition was the difficulty, initially at least, of getting hold of the recording and it's high price in Europe and the USA. Secondly, I'm sure that there remains a snobbish attitude towards Western art music composed by Asian composers. I'm not justifying that, as I don't share it, but I do believe that it's still there.

I see that it's now downloadable through iTunes for $11.99/£10.99 (whatever happened to a fair exchange rate?) and thoroughly recommend it.

[eschiss1]

hrm. at the moment, 11 pounds sterling is USD17.70 or so ... I'm too sleepy to figure out - yes, that does rather advantage us on this side of the po(u)nd to only have to pay USD 11.99...

[chill319]

on this side of the po(u)nd