Japanese Tunes for Irish Harp Michiko Semba The Japanese tunes in this book are arranged for those who enjoy playing the Irish harp. Every one has been loved, sung and played for many generations. It is very special for us to play these beautiful tunes on an Irish harp, a traditional Irish musical instrument. This book is aimed at giving all those who play the Irish harp the pleasure of playing these Japanese tunes. These tunes are recorded on the CD Irish Harp - Telling the Sound by Michiko Semba Buy this music now    Score: £15.00 + p&p      Return to Michiko Semba Index

Japanese Tunes for Irish Harp
Arranged by Michiko Semba

Introduction
The Japanese tunes in this book are arranged for those who enjoy playing the Irish harp. Every one has loved, sung and played for many generations. It is very special for us to play these beautiful tunes on an Irish harp, a traditional Irish musical instrument. This book is aimed at giving all those who play the Irish harp the pleasure of playing these Japanese tunes.

Acknowledgements
Firstly I would like to thank Masayoshi Moir of Matsuyama Gakki Ltd. for his generous help always. Special thanks to my harp students, particularly Ryoko Takahashi and Mami Yorita for their help throughout this work. I also thank my mother and sister for all their support.
Lastly, I would like to thank Satomi Okazaki of the publishing department of Ongaku No Tomo Sha Co. for her kind advice. Particular thanks to Junko Murakoshi for every consideration including the complicated proofreading.

To my harp teacher, Helen Davies
For all her generous support and suggestions particularly with the arrangements and English translation on the occasion of this publication. With my deepest gratitude.....

 

01. Cherry Blossom - Sakura Sakura (the EDO period)
Let us look up into the hazy sky as far as the eye can reach, and let us go and see the cherry blossom.

02.  A night with a hazy moon - Oborozukiyo (1914)
The light of a spring moon melts onto a field of bright yellow rapeseed flowers. Bells sound in the twilight mist.

03.  Summer memories - Natsu no omoide (1949)
When summer comes, the writer is reminded of Oze, a wetland area, where the short white mizubasho flowers bloom with a dreamlike scent.

04.  A red dragonfly - Akatombo (1927)
It is dusk... a nursemaid carries a child on her back.. the child watches the flight of a dragonfly and is filled with wonder....

05.  Autumn beach - Hamabe no uta (1918)
A sandy beach in the morning and at eventide. The scenery induces thoughts of the past.

06.  Hometown Autumn -Sato No Aki (1945)
A classic doyo song, and one of Kainuma's best. Kainuma found a copy of a poem Saito had written during the war called "Stary Night". Kainuma liked the poem but wanted to change the ending. He contacted Saito, who then wrote a new ending to the poem and changed the name to "Sato No Aki" - Hometown Autumn. The song was sung live over the radio on December 24th, 1945, and received a tremendous response.

07.  A ruined castle in the moonlight - Kojo no tsuki (1901)
The writer is reminded of the vanity of life by the timeless shining of the moon.

08.  Desert in the moonlight 0 Tsuki no sabaku (1923)
A couple riding on camels in the desert...in silence...the prince on a golden saddle, the princess on a silver saddle...

09.  Lullaby of Takeda - Takeda no Komoriuta (trad)
A traditional song from Kyoto. A young girl is babysitting on a snowy day. She longs for home.

10.  Gondola - Gondra no uta (1915)
This song praises life, and tells a young girl that life is passing quickly, so live and love !

11.  A little bird on the beach - Hamachidori (1920)
A little bird is looking for his mother on a beach on a bitter cold night. The moon shines with a cold blue light.

12.  Home - Furusato (1914)
The writer is yearning for the hills and rivers of his native land, and for his parents and friends there. \he hopes to go home someday....

13.  Itsu mo nando demo (2001)
However sad we feel, let us sing and always hold our dreams, knowing that there is something bright in our hearts.

14.  Look up at the stars - Miagete goran yoru no hosiwo (1963)
A bright little star is singing and praying about quite happiness. It gives a young couple encouragement to dream.

15.  Midnight Light - Orora no yukue (2004)
In 2004 I saw an aurora quite by chance from the aeroplane window when I was on a long distance flight. It was very mysterious, with an almost full moon and stars in the sky around it. This beautiful sight inspired me to write this piece.

Title:	Japanese Tunes for Irish Harp
Composer/Arranger:	Michiko Semba
Instrumentation:	Irish Harp
Level:	Intermediate
Format:	Stapled
Size:	A4
Total Pages:	48
ISBN:	N/A
Our Ref:	SM121
Publisher:	Ongaku No Tomo Sha Co.
Edition/Year:	2008
Origin:	Japan

Also available from Creighton's Collection
SCORES	CDs
Japanese Tunes for Irish Harp	Irish Harp - Telling the Sound