MUSICAL WORKS

SHIMOYAMA Hifumi / 下山 一二三

1971

Breath / 息 / Iki

Birth Y: 1930 Birth C: JAPAN Gender: Male

Dest: Concert

Media Specification: Mixed music

Performer(s): Michiko Hirayama (voices), Miksi ei Ensemble, Kari Tikka (conductor)

First perf.: 1978 Helsinki (ISCM) [revised version, first performance of the previous version: Italy, 1974]

Duration: 10:00

Perf. Country: FINLAND

Instruments: for female voice, piano and percussion

Setup: Composed in 1971 (Revised in 1977)

Prog. notes: BREATH was dedicated to Michiko Hirayama who lived in Rome. It was first performed by her in Italy in 1974, and subsequently revised in summer 1977. It may be performed in two ways: by a single voice and pre-recorded tape, or by three voices. The words used in this work are drawn in the main from the Japanese traditional play Noh. It has been said that these words are inexplicable; they have their own particular characters, and thus do not lend themselves to translation into another language. They are words used in ancient times for prayer.

Editor: MB

Phono: CD Siglo de luz SDL-JP30.001-96CD (Distributed by phono Medios）