Benikage (Rouge Shadow)

2 Bb Clarinets | Bb Bass Clarinet

During a conversation with Ms. Narahashi, the director of Kibogaoka High School in Fukuoka, while discussing the selection of an ensemble piece, she said "We only have three clarinetists, including a bass, so there are no suitable pieces available…" This conversation sparked the idea that I could compose an intriguing work tailored to this unique instrumentation, leading to the creation of a trio for their use.



The work is divided into three chapters, incorporating modern techniques and Arabic scales. At the outset, the tension-filled melodies of each solo build anticipation for the development of the piece.



In the middle section, I aimed to capture the moment when the musical direction becomes distinct, and in the latter part, I infused my emotions into both the sounds and the footplay. This straightforward piece, with elements of folkloric dances, will undoubtedly capture the hearts of the audience while maintaining its tempo.



Thanks to the limited ensemble of only three players, you can distinctly feel the music's movement and transparency. This piece can be a versatile addition to the repertoire.

( Hiroaki Kataoka)

ENMS-84537