Samuragochi Symphony No.1

[Alan Howe]

The story of this modern-day deaf Japanese composer is an extraordinary one - but Mamoru Samuragochi's Symphony No.1 "Hiroshima"....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/MAMORU-SAMURAGOCHI-SYM-1-HIROSHIMA/dp/B0050NBGAU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321726181&sr=8-1
... is even more extraordinary: a three-movement, 80+ minute edifice ranking, in my mind, with Mahler 9 and Brian's Gothic. 

Atsushi has already written (sorry about the repeated thread):

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

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Really?! Will explore some more...

[Dundonnell]

It is certainly a superb piece

The comparison with Mahler is entirely fair but I also hear a lot of Bruckner(a composer whose idiom I am more attuned to) in the symphony. There is grandeur and beauty and, ultimately, it is a most moving composition.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

A Japanese Bruckner... The world is certainly globalised.

[lechner1110]

  Thanks All
 
  Mr.Samuragochi composed 12(!) symphonies until 2000, but He discarded all of them.
  He already finished symphony no.2 ( 110minute   not performed yet)
  And he is composing  Symphony no.3 now.

[Alan Howe]

It's a good deal more dissonant than Bruckner, but I understand the comparison - say, with his 9th. For me the parallel is more with Mahler, especially symphonies 9 and 10. And some of the climaxes definitely rank with the Gothic...
It's going to take a lot of listening to in order to get my head round the piece, but I have a feeling it's going to be my discovery of 2011...

[Alan Howe]

Perhaps you will keep us informed about possible future performances and recordings of Samuragochi's 2nd and 3rd symphonies, Atsushi?

[Alan Howe]

...the climaxes are nothing like Bruckner or Mahler - we're definitely in 'Gothic' territory: try about 14 and half minutes into the second movement!

[Dundonnell]

I see what you mean

Certainly there is an apocalyptic grandeur which very much appeals to me

We are-I think-agreed that it is a work of real substance, a work of massive integrity and one that should be widely heard

[lechner1110]

  Of course, I will post all performance and recording information of Samuragouchi 

 

[Mark Thomas]

Yes, I think that Brian is a very apt comparison but, my word, what a magnificent work this is. A very moving testament and wholly worthwhile musically.

[Alan Howe]

All in all, I think we owe a massive vote of thanks to Atsushi for introducing us to this absolutely magnificent piece - which kept me up until midnight listening to it again. Wonder what I'll be doing this afternoon...?

[lechner1110]

  Thanks all. 
  In my impression, This symphony maybe absolutely capture your heart when you listen in concert performance.

  Composer himself called this symphony is " Dark symphony ".
  In fact, Almost time of this symphony filled with deep darkness.
  But I hope this dark ( but, at the same time, this symphony filled with strong hope!) symphony will perform all around world  
 

[Alan Howe]

I can imagine that the symphony would make an enormous impression if heard live - rather like a piece such as the 'Gothic' or which makes twice the impression in the concert hall.

[Alan Howe]

The closing pages of the finale are utterly thrilling and uplifting. Wonderful! Thanks again, Atsushi!