Nagoya Lullaby (Nagoya no Komoriuta)

When I was touring the rebuilt Nagoya Castle as part of my studies abroad as an undergraduate student, I was shown an exhibit in the castle composed of pictures of the bombed-out remains of the original Nagoya Castle (the current one is a reconstruction) and of destroyed parts of the city of Nagoya. That was the 0irst time as an adult that I felt and fully comprehended shameful feelings toward my home country and the disbelief in humanity that comes with knowing that innocent lives were destroyed. Years later, I wrote this piece as a testament to those feelings, with the thought that perhaps if I could move others through this piece, those people listening could be called to abstain from future wars. In another nod to the city that inspired it, I wrote this piece for viola and Bb clarinet in a pentatonic mode called "hirajoushi," which is a tuning scale for the koto, an instrument that I 0irst learned to play during my stay in Nagoya.

*please inform me if you intend to perform this piece in concert, as I would love to attend if able.