Nobutoki, Kioyoshi : MUTTSU NO BUTOUKYOKU
Work Overview
Instrumentation：Piano Solo
Genre：pieces
Total Playing Time：13 min 50 sec
Copyright：Public Domain
Commentary (2)
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 18, 2018
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Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
The titles of the pieces from the overture to the sixth piece are as follows:
- "Distant Festival Music"
- "Caprice"
- "Serious Slow Dance"
- "Country Festival Music"
- "Children's Mixed Round Dance"
- "Ancient Procession"
As the titles suggest, the work presents an "Oriental" aspect. In "Distant Festival Music", ritsu scales such as D-E-G-A and G-A-C-D are used from the beginning. The following "Caprice" presents a completely different character from the previous piece, with frequent use of chromatic scales, augmented intervals, and diminished intervals. In "Serious Slow Dance", there are numerous modulations, and each time, the unfolding scene changes vividly. "Country Festival Music", which begins powerfully with octave figures, plays rolling, fast passages in the middle section and returns to the opening figure. "Children's Mixed Round Dance" is rich in variations of dynamics and figures. And "Ancient Procession", written in rondo form, possesses a majestic and dignified style.
Six Dances was published in 1932. In the same year, a new department specializing in composition was established in the undergraduate course of the Tokyo Academy of Music (now the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts). Kiyoshi Nobutoki, who dedicated himself to the establishment of the "Composition Department", resigned as professor in 1932 and thereafter instructed students as a lecturer.
Pianists who were colleagues of Nobutoki at the Tokyo Academy of Music performed Six Dances. The premiere was given by Miyaji Takaori, and there are also records of performances by Leo Sirota and Noboru Toyomasu, among others. Furthermore, as a contemporary performance, this piece is included on Chiharu Hanaoka's CD (Bellwood Records, 2004).
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 18, 2018
[Open]
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
About "6 Dance Music"
Nobutoki’s “6 Dance Music” comprises six distinct pieces, each contributing to the work's overall character, which evokes an oriental sensibility as suggested by their titles. The individual pieces are:
- Musical Accompaniment in the Distant: This piece opens with Nobutoki's use of the ‘Ritsu scale’, exemplified by patterns such as D-E-G-A and G-A-C-D.
- Caprice: In contrast to the preceding piece, ‘Caprice’ distinguishes itself through its incorporation of chromatic scales, augmented intervals, and diminished intervals.
- Serious and Loose Dance: This piece features repeated modulations that consistently introduce bright changes in atmosphere.
- Musical Accompaniment in Countryside: Beginning powerfully with an octave, this piece transitions into fast passages in its middle section before returning to the initial tonal pattern towards its conclusion.
- Ringing Dance with Children: Characterized by a rich variety in its dynamics and tonal patterns.
- Old Fashioned Precession: Written in rondo form, this piece possesses an imposing and distinctive personality.
Historical Context
“6 Dance Music” was published in 1932. In the same year, the composition course was established at Tokyo Ongaku Gakkō (Tokyo Academy of Music), an endeavor Kiyoshi Nobutoki diligently pursued and brought to fruition. Nobutoki resigned his professorship in 1932, subsequently guiding students as a lecturer.
Performance History
“6 Dance Music” was performed by pianists who were colleagues of Nobutoki. The premiere performance was given by Miyaji Takaori, and records indicate that Leo Shirota and Noboru Toyomasu also performed this work. More recently, contemporary pianist Chiharu Hanaoka recorded this piece on a CD (Bellwood record, 2004).
Movements (6)
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