[Akita Prefecture] What is the great Akita? Detailed explanation of a masterpiece that is still loved 50 years after its first performance

On November 25, 2018, "The Great Akita Tokyo Performance 2018" was held at the Hibiki no Mori Public Hall Bunkyo Civic Hall.

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the first performance, but what kind of music is this great Akita song that arouses the passion to perform it through crowdfunding at FAAVO?

In this article, we will explain in detail the origins and charms of the great city of Akita.

Reference: FAAVO "Let's make it together! Let's make the great Akita Tokyo performance 2018 a success!"

Reference: Great Akita Tokyo Performance Office Home Page

is great Akita ?

The official name of Great Akita is ``Song for Chorus and Brass, Great Akita,'' and it was composed by composer Kan Ishii in 1968 at the request of Akita Prefecture as part of the Meiji Centenary commemoration project.

The piece was originally intended to be performed by an orchestra and a mixed chorus, but since wind band activities were popular in Akita Prefecture at the time, it was changed to a brass band and a mixed chorus.

Additionally, at the request of Akita Governor Yujiro Obata at the time, the ``Akita Prefectural Folk Song'' composed by Tamezo Narita was included in the third movement.

It was first performed at the Akita Prefectural Gymnasium on November 10, 1968, and it is a majestic song that has been loved by the people of Akita Prefecture for a long time.

Reference: Great Akita Tokyo Performance Secretariat “Songs for Chorus and Brass Great Akita”

Great Akita lyrics and composition

What kind of structure will Great Akita be performed in?

I have summarized it in a table.

 

lyrics

Configuration and its characteristics

First movement “Dawn”

My hometown, my hometown (Kuni)

A fruitful hometown,
a sea full of light, a mountain full of greenery

Will never change and prosper forever

Ah, my nostalgic hometown

Akita, my mother's hometown

 

Ah, no matter what day it is, without ceasing

hometown person

A great hometown, an ever-expanding hometown

Eternal prosperity

Sing loudly, let's go to
our great hometown, our hometown that's shining brightly

Let's sing Kotobuki's song

-The introduction begins quietly with woodwind instruments and muted brass instruments.

・The melody changes with the trumpet ensemble

・When it becomes quiet again, perform the first verse with the female chorus → male chorus → whole chorus.

・The 2nd verse starts in a minor key, but changes to a major key from the first "Great Homeland"

・From the second “Great Hometown”, raise the key one step further and increase the tempo to liven up the entire song.

・Because the chord before the end uses a dissonant chord, it gives the impression of a solid ending.

Second movement “Reminiscence”

Nenneko Kororoko Nenneko Kororokoya

My menko naba is naughty

 

Araya Konkon Mame Konkon

If you want sardines, bring the basket.

Araya Konkon Mame Konkon

If the barrel falls off, the barrel will be strong.

・The lyrics are in Akita dialect.

-The first oboe melody is impressive.

-The top note of the chorus for both men and women is F, which requires a lot of practice.

・The tempo up from "Araya Konkon" is a series of 16th notes, which requires a lot of practice even for wind instruments.

・The female and male voices singing the “Arareya Konkon” part is beautiful.

Third movement “Leap forward”

The unparalleled beauty of Mt. Chokai

The Oga Peninsula roars with rage.

The mysterious Towada is with Tazawa

A proud lake that has gained fame around the world

Landscape Minako Akita, the land of poetry

 

Megurasu mountains, full of spiritual energy

The sound of the ax cannot be heard in a beautiful forest of thousands of years.

An underground mine, an endless treasure trove

The view of Hirono is hazy.

Akita is rich and fruitful with gold.

-Starts with a bright and light melody in a major key

・Akita prefectural folk songs begin with a euphonium prelude and are played once only by the wind band.

・Akita prefectural folk song: The first verse is performed by the male chorus → the whole chorus, and the second verse is performed by the female chorus → the whole chorus.

Fourth movement “Great Akita”

At dawn, the clouds change color

Look up at the distant mountains

A winding town and a green village

The light of peace is shining

Ah, my longed-for Akita

Let's all sing together

 

deep in the lake, open in the sea

Train in the snow and stay healthy

Both working days and relaxing nights

Discuss the blessings of culture

Ah, my happy Akita

Let's all move forward together

・The introduction part is the same as the first movement

・There is a tempo change to 6/8 time signature

・The tempo is increased to sing verses 1 and 3 of "Prefectural Song", giving a lighthearted impression.

・The chorus ends in B♭, but it requires practice because it is a very high pitch.

The beginning, development, development, and conclusion of each movement are clear, and it can be said that it is distinctive in that it ends with a satisfying feeling for both the performer and the audience.

About the great Akita sheet music

``Great Akita'' requires a lot of practice to play in both wind ensemble and chorus, but Akita Prefecture lends out the complete score and part scores free of charge.

If you would like to try out such a magnificent piece of music at least once, please contact the Akita Prefecture Tourism, Culture, Sports, and Culture Promotion Division Coordination/Culture Promotion Section via the phone number or email listed on the website.

Reference: Regarding the rental of sheet music for “The Great Akita” on Akita Net, the Land of Beauty

What I think about Great Akita after playing it

The author graduated from Daisen City Omagari Junior High School and belonged to the wind band club until the middle of his second year, and because he played the oboe, he happened to have experience in both wind band performance and chorus.

When I was participating in the Great Akita practice as an oboist, I admired the impressive melody of the second movement, "Reminiscence", which only one person in the part can play, and I practiced desperately over and over again. I remember.

I felt that playing the melody of "Reminiscence" was as valuable an experience as playing the oboe solo of "Swan Lake."

Just before quitting the brass band in the middle of my second year, I happened to find no seniors or people in my same year playing the same parts during practice, and I was able to play the oboe just once, and I realized, ``I have nothing left to do in the brass band.'' I felt like "No."

I was busy with activities at the science club I transferred to, so I wasn't often able to participate in the great Akita choir practice when I was in my third year, but I was still very moved when I performed at the song festival.

Therefore, even with crowdfunding, I can relate to their passion for performing great Akita music.

This is a piece that anyone who has ever played in a wind band or chorus should definitely give this a try.

summary

The official name of Great Akita is ``Song for chorus and brass, Great Akita'', and as it is composed of chorus and brass band, it is clear that although it is a highly difficult piece, it has been loved by the people of Akita Prefecture for a long time. I did.

If you like Akita, you will be very impressed, so please give it a listen.

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