"The Age of Birds" for Orchestra - Takashi Yoshimatsu

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sachio Fujioka.

I - Sky. Moderato: 0:00
II - Trees. Scherzo: 7:44
III - The Sun. Finale: 12:46

Yoshimatsu's "The Age of Birds" was composed 1986, being premiered on May 24 of that same year, performed by the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michiyoshi Inoue. The work can be considered as a small symphony, being the third and final piece in the bird trilogy, preceded by "Threnody to Toki" (1979-80) and "Chikap" (1981). Each movement has a subtitle that reminds us of the original subtitles of Malher's Symphony No.3.

The composer defines his piece with the following words: "With my mind’s eye, I see a sky with transparent birds. With sad eyes they quietly look down on the human beings crawling around in an artificial forest below them. This image has led me to continue writing works with birds as their theme. At the same time, it has presented me with the task of searching for new wings with which to fly from the chaotic woods / world of contemporary music."

The first movement, subtitled "What the sky gives to birds", has no real structure, being a canticle dedicated to the sky and birds. It begins with a slow and meditative introduction, the strings converge and separate in different lines. Gentle bell blows leads us to the flutes presenting several birdsongs, interrupted by orchestral outbursts. The music remains in this dicotomy of passive, static sections contrasted with dense and strong climaxes. Lyrical phrases of the winds offer a melodic relief, before the music explodes in a massive climax, followed by a majestic passage enhanced by brasses. After a final outburst, the music peacefully dissolves into silence.

The second movement, subtitled "What the trees tell the birds", has also no real structure. It begins with a new set of birdsongs presented by the winds, supported by xylophone and strings. This configures a light and playful setting. Several different instrumets appear adding their own colour to the music. A layering of the different rhythms of the song of birds from other lands as they fly across the sky. The music turns more active and rhythmic, leading to a climax. The opening birdsongs are then recapitulated. The movement ends with a cute little coda.

The third movement, subtitled "What the sun gives to the birds", it is also very free in form. Begins with a lyrical opening, similar to the movement of the birds as a flock flying toward the sun. The music rises in a brilliant climax, followed by rhythmic birdsongs presented by the winds, serving as the basic material of the movement. The orchestra presents several colourful mutations and variations on these birdsongs. The music rises in a brief but more dissonant climax as the piano appears. Then only the winds remain, but the full orchestra soon rejoins, leading to a new climax. After a decrescendo, the instruments meditate lyrically on previous elements, with the music vanishing into silece. Almost like birds dissappearing into the sky after covering every inch of it.

Picture: "Bird" (1867) by the Japanese painter Utagawa Fusatane. From the series "Genji and the Flowers and Birds, Wind and Moon."

Musical analysis done by myself. Sources: https://bit.ly/3aSSceq

Видео "The Age of Birds" for Orchestra - Takashi Yoshimatsu канала Sergio Cánovas