Takeda No Komoriuta
Lullaby of Takeda
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SKU: CF.YAS164
Lullaby of Takeda. Composed by Larry Clark. Young String Orchestra. This piece is a lullaby, which means that it is a quiet, gentle song to put a child to sleep. In the particular case, this very popular Japanese folk song is said to be a song that the girl Takeda would sing to soothe herself while experiencing the diffic. Score and part(s). With Standard notation. 8 + 70 pages. Duration 4 minutes, 13 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #YAS164. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.YAS164).ISBN 9781491143841. UPC: 680160901340. Key: E minor.
Takeda No Komoriuta is a well-known Japanese lullaby. The lyrics tell of a girl, Takeda, who is forced to work away from home from a young age. Composer Larry Clark imbues the piece with dark lush harmonies presenting the melody four separate times with varying harmonies and textures, beginning with a viola section solo. It is the type of writing that so many have come to love from this composer, and will stretch the musicianship of your ensemble.
This piece is a lullaby, which means that it is a quiet, gentle song to put a child to sleep. In the particular case, this very popular Japanese folk song is said to be a song that the girl Takeda would sing to soothe herself while experiencing the difficult situation of having to be the caretaker for someone else's baby. It is not really considered a happy song as the lyrics refer to the challenges this girl has in her life. You can search the internet for the complete translation of the lyrics. It was my goal to bring our the pensive nature of this beautiful song through this setting. I wanted to present the haunting pentatonic tune in a variety of presentations. First, with the strings emulating a Kyoto with the pizzicato notes and the deep tone of the viola over drones in the lower strings. This is followed by a lush and lyrical statement with thick harmonies while the first violins carry the tune. The cellos then add arpeggiated chords along with a harmonized version of the melody in the second violins. The cellos are given a chance at the melody with a new harmonic presentation in the other strings in parallel motion. I then composed an interlude that has yet again differing harmonies with fragments of the melody stated now and then. This all builds to the climatic statement of the song one last time that leads to a dramatic pause on an extended chord, which then subdues to a short coda to complete the work.
About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series
This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels