“The Four Seasons of Japan” is a suite for a piano duet composed of six pieces. In 1977, this suite was commissioned to Yoshinao Nakada and premiered by Mr. and Mrs. Kodama.
Nakada had doubts about esoteric contemporary music. He made this suite using familiar songs to Japanese, while aiming for composing fun contemporary music. Utilizing rich expressions unique to the duet, he depicted the delicate Japanese four seasons.
1. Spring Has Come and Cherry Blossoms Bloomed (about 3 minutes)
Lovely spring is depicted using famous songs such as “Sakura Yokocho”, “Spring Has Come” and “Early Spring.”
2. A Bright Sky of May, and Mt. Fuji (about 3 minutes)
A bright sky of May is played in resonant sounds. Finally “Mt. Fuji” appears.
3. Long Rainy Days, and Soon Summer Comes (about 3 minutes)
After the melancholic rainy season, the light gradually increases. Finally it reaches “Memories of Summer.”
4. Fresh Summer and Sultry Summer (about 3 minutes)
After a fresh song, “Summer is Here”, sultry air and typhoons change the season at once.
5. From Early Autumn to Mid-Autumn (about 2 minutes)
“Just a Little Autumn” announces the arrival of autumn. “Autumn Leaves” and “Deep Red Autumn” are sung cheerfully.
6. Winter Has Come, Snow Began to Fall, and it Froze Over. Before Long Will Be The Sunshine of Spring (about 6 minutes)
Spring comes back gradually after the freezing snow is depicted with “In a Snowy Town.”