Shibata, Minao : GENERATION No.68
Work Overview
Instrumentation：Piano Ensemble
Genre：character pieces
Copyright：Under Copyright Protection
Commentary (2)
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 20, 2018
[Open]
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
The performance of Generation requires two pianists. Its premiere was given in 1981 by Toshi Ichiyanagi and Yuji Takahashi. The performance time is approximately 15 minutes.
The score consists of only one sheet of paper. Musical style and structure are indicated through written instructions.
The title Generation signifies the emergence and creation of musical language and style. Minao Shibata often explained sound organization using the term "skeleton." His essay "The Story of Music's Skeleton," serialized in the journal Ongaku Geijutsu (later collected in a single volume), is a study analyzing melodies of Japanese folk songs and tone rows of the twelve-tone scale. Underlying Generation is a consideration of the "skeleton" as the foundation of musical style. The composer's notes to the performers contain descriptions from ① to ⑤. ① refers to musical styles around 1800, and etude-like themes and variations where individual styles are not clearly defined. Looking at the next item, ②, there is the notation "Romanticism." Here, the music of R. Schumann, J. Brahms, and F. Chopin is envisioned. Entries such as "chromatic scale" and "through-composed form" are also present. ③ is an instruction: "At the peak of a choleric musical idea, degreasing occurs. Satie-esque sober music. Transparent, clear. This section should be brief, like a transition." According to the composer, ④ is important for performance, and ⑤ for musical perspective. ④ is an improvisational section in rondo form. The musical character of the theme is chaotic yet brilliant and captivating. While twelve-tone rows and atonality are incorporated, works by M. Reger and J. S. Bach are also kept in mind. The term "folklore" appears in the description of ⑤. At the end of Generation, folk-like music is performed.
This work was composed in 1981. This was a period when Shibata was presenting theater pieces based on Japanese folk performing arts. Shibata's creative philosophy is condensed in Generation.
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
Last Updated: April 20, 2018
[Open]
Author : Nakatsuji, Maho
About "Generation"
Two piano players are necessary to play “Generation”. The first performance of this work was by Toshi Ichinayanagi and Yūji Takahashi in 1981. It takes about 15 minutes when you play this piece.
Its score is only one paper. The musical pattern and the way of composition are shown by the sentences written in it.
The title “Generation” means the occurrence or the formation of musical grammar and style. Minao Shibata often explained his musical organization by the term ‘skeleton’. ‘A tale of the musical skeleton’, which was serialized in ‘Ongaku-geijutsu (Music Art)’ and published in a book form in later years, analyzed the melody of Japanese folk songs and the technique of dodecaphony. He considers that ‘skeleton’ is the basis of musical style as a foundation of the piece “Generation”.
There are five descriptions written in a memo for the performers, which was written by the composer:
- First Description: References themes like etudes and variations from around 1800, which do not show particularly unique and individual musical style.
- Second Description: Mentions ‘Romanticism’, which is assumed to be the works by R. Schumann, J. Brahms, and F. Chopin. ‘Chromatic scale’ and ‘general form’ are also mentioned in the text.
- Third Description: Indicates the following sentences: “Removing grease will be done at the peak of music which is like bilious temperament. The awakening music as Sati’s style. Transparency and clear. Short like a part of transition”.
- Fourth Description: (Important in the aspect of performance) This is the part of improvisation in rondo form. The subject is chaotic yet magnificent and fascinating. Dodecaphony and non-pitch are applied along with works by M. Reger and J. S. Bach.
- Fifth Description: (Important in the aspect of the view of music) The term ‘folklore’ is explained. Folk music will be played at the last of this piece.
This piece was composed in 1981, which is the period Shibata wrote theatre pieces with materials from folk entertainment. Shibata’s compositional ideas are reflected in the piece “Generation”.