Naohiko Terashima is widely known as the lyricist and composer of Ryoko Moriyama's song "Satokibi Batake" (Sugarcane Field). During his lifetime, he explicitly stated in his profile, "Composer (regardless of classical or popular genres)," indicating his active involvement across various musical genres. He also favored piano duets, and among his original compositions, the "14 Hiki Series" (14 Mice Series) written for Kazuo Iwamura's picture books (14 Hiki no Asagohan [14 Mice's Breakfast] [1985], Samui Fuyu [Cold Winter] [1988], Otsukimi [Moon Viewing] [1989]) are well-loved. He also published numerous collections of duet arrangements. This is one such collection. Characteristic of Terashima, it includes not only familiar Christmas songs with skillful arrangements but also "Christmas Day," Off Course's only lesser-known fantastical Christmas number, and "13 Jours en France" (Shiroi Koibitotachi), a classic winter song by Francis Lai rather than a Christmas song. Regarding his arrangement of "Shiroi Koibitotachi," he casually described it as "a somewhat chic chanson style," but Terashima, who led his own orchestra "Naohiko Terashima and Rhythm Chansonnette" and backed Yoshiko Ishii, a pioneer of Japanese chanson singers, possessed a deeper knowledge of chanson than anyone else. Even "Satokibi Batake" is said to have been conceived while he toured various parts of Okinawa under US military rule with Yoshiko Ishii. The arrangements from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker and Bach's piece, usable all year round, are also highly valuable. This is an album to be cherished.

Contents

• 1. Der Tannenbaum (The Fir Tree) Maestoso 3/4 F major
• 2. Silent Night (Kiyoshi Kono Yoru) (Gruber) Andante 6/8 B-flat major
• 3. Jingle Bells Allegro 2/4 F major
• 4. Christmas Day (Lyrics & Music by Kazumasa Oda, Yasuhiro Suzuki) Moderato 6/8 C major
• 5. 13 Jours en France (Shiroi Koibitotachi) (Francis Lai) Waltz moderato 3/4 G minor
• 6. Danse de la Fée-Dragée (Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy) (Tchaikovsky) Allegretto tranquillo 2/4 E minor
• 7. Danse Russe Trépac (Russian Dance Trepak) (Tchaikovsky) Vivace 2/4 G major
• 8. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Shu yo Hito no Nozomi no Yorokobi yo) (J. S. Bach) Allegretto semplice 3/4 G major