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Karen Tanaka's Trumpet Concerto, Verse of Light, Premiered by Håkan Hardenberger and the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, led by Martyn Brabbins

Oct. 01, 2026

On September 3, acclaimed trumpeter Håkan Hardenberger and the Malmö Symphony Orchestra premiered Karen Tanaka's trumpet concerto, Verse of Light, at the Malmõ Live Konserthus under the baton of Martyn Brabbins. They performed the work again on September 5. 

Verse of Light was jointly commissioned by the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre national Montpellier Occitanie and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Further performances will follow in Montpellier and Stockholm later that month. The composer describes the timely and timeless inspiration behind her new work:

"The title suggests humanity in the age of digital intelligence. It reflects not only the rise of AI and the digital world, but also the persistent conflicts that shadow our time – the struggle between light and darkness, technology and humanity. Verse evokes both language and code, hinting at a shared realm where human and digital voices converge. Light represents illumination, empathy, and hope – the enduring human spirit that seeks meaning amid turmoil.The piece explores the interplay of these forces. The music is built from a few-note motifs and patterns of repetition that evolve throughout the work. I envisioned an atmospheric, spacious soundscape shaped by broad emotional arcs, highlighting the contrasts between technology and humanity, darkness and light."

Verse of Light was co-commissioned by the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra, Opéra Orchestre National Montpellier, and Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

To learn more about Karen Tanaka, visit schott-music.com.

Karen Tanaka
Verse of Light (2026)
for trumpet and orchestra
2.2.2.2(2.cbsn)-4.2.3.1-timp.3perc(I. b.d, 2 sus cym, 1 steel drum; II. b.d, 2 sus cym [shared with perc 4], vib, tam-t; III. 2 sus cym, 1 steel drum, 2 Taiko drums [or lg toms])-hp-str(14.12.10.8.6)
18'
Preview the score here.

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