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World Premieres of Music by Kenji Sakai in Kanagawa, Nagoya, and Tokyo

Jun. 07, 2024

On May 11, Kanagawa Kenmin Hall presented the world premiere performances of Kenji Sakai's En Bleu et Blanc for ensemble as well as Trois Esquisses Pour Siegfried performed under the baton of Ryo Moriwaki as part of their CXC Series, pairing the works of a contemporary composer (Sakai) with one from the past (in this case, Claude Debussy). Yuji Numano, Musicologist and Kanagawa Kenｍin Hall/Ongakudo Artistic Adviser, noted:

"I've never met a composer who wasn't drawn to Debussy. Of course. He presented us with new colors, colors that had never existed before in the history of music. It is no exaggeration to say that the mission of modern composers is to go beyond Debussy and discover new "colors'' for themselves. But, of course, this poses enormous difficulties. Many composers have been defeated by this question - like the travelers who were unable to solve the mystery of the Sphinx.

However, Kenji Sakai is sure to be able to do it."

En Bleu et Blanc was commissioned by Kanagawa Kenmin Hall. The first movement of Trois Esquisses Pour Siegfried was commissioned and premiered by Ensemble Contrechamps at Victoria Hall in Geneva in October 2023. The second and third movements were commissioned by Kanagawa Kenmin Hall. 

Additionally, Kenji Sakai's Etheric Projection (Melodia labile II) was premiered by guitarist/commissioner Shin-ichi Fukuda at Halle Runde in Nagoya (May 18) and Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Recital Hall in Tokyo (May 19).

Listen to Kenji Sakai's Whirling:

HANATSUmiroir performs Kenji Sakai's Whirling

To learn more about Kenji Sakai, visit: zen-on.co.jp.

Kenji Sakai
En Bleu et Blanc (2022)
for wind quintet and piano
fl.ob.cl.bn.hn.pno
10'

Trois Esquisses Pour Siegfried (2023/2024)
for ensemble
1(pic).1.1.1-1.0.0.0-hp-pf-str
11'

Etheric Projection (Melodia labile II) (2023)
for guitar solo

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