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Zen-On Releases Two New Publications For Saxophone by Shoichi Yabuta and Jun Nagao

Jan. 15, 2022

Zen-On Releases Two New Publications For Saxophone by Shoichi Yabuta and Jun Nagao

Zen-On has released two exciting new publications this month. Both works were commissioned by saxophonist Nobuya Sugawa and were premiered at Yamaha Hall in Tokyo on June 12, 2021.

Shoichi Yabuta's Delos for alto saxophone and piano was premiered by Nobuya Sugawa and pianist Minako Koyanagi. The composer notes:

"I gave this piece the title Delos keeping in my mind the image of a saxophonic Elysium based on my own impressions of Nobuya Sugawa's playing. He presented me with various ideas for the piece, and I decided to use musical material from works by Bach and II-V chord progressions. The work consists of seven contrasting short movements:

I. The main movement of the piece. The saxophone part with its II-V chord progressions is interwoven with Bach-like figurations in the piano part.

II. A slow movement for piano solo.

III. A lyrical movement based on the image of flowers.

IV. A movement centering on long held notes in the saxophone  with coloration provided by the piano. It portrays the shaded character of the saxophone.

V. A movement for saxophone solo.

VI. A rhythmical movement.

VII. A movement that builds on the material employed in the first movement. 

I kept the image of Nobuya Sugawa and Minako Koyanagi constantly in mind as I worked on the piece."


Jun Nagao's Trilithon for alto saxophone, baritone saxophone and piano, was premiered by Nobuya Sugawa, Yasuto Tanaka (baritone sax), and Minako Koyanagi. The composer notes: 

"I composed this piece in response to a commission from Nobuya Sugawa in April 2021. He indicated to me the instrumentation and the length of the piece that he wanted me to compose, but otherwise left the musical conception up to me. I set to work without any clear narrative or thematic concept, and thought merely about how to compose a worthwhile piece for the trio combination of Nobuya Sugawa, Yasuto Tanaka and Minako Koyanagi.

All the same, despite my enthusiasm for the project, I initially had trouble devising a precise orientation for it. But having come up with the opening melody played on the piano, I felt I had opened the path to completing the piece.

My confidence in this melancholy, lyrical melody was inspired by my desire to convey its message in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in the most direct and straightforward manner.

Trilithon refers to an enigmatic structure consisting of three enormous rocks present at prehistoric sites such as Stonehenge. Each rock weights as much as fifty tons and the edifice itself was erected some four to five thousand years ago. One theory suggests it that it was intended to catch heaven as it fell to the ground. Although I only stumbled on the title as an afterthought, it seems an entirely appropriate one to encapsulate not so much the tone of the piece itself as the three musicians who gave it its first performance."


(Jun Nagao/Trilithon/Nobuya Sugawa, alto saxophone;
Yasuto Tanaka, baritone saxophone; Minako Koyanagi, piano)

To learn more about Shoichi Yabuta and Jun Nagao, visit: zen-on.co.jp.



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