Hibakusha
for solo flute
Date
October 2005
Duration
6 minutes
Orchestration
Solo Flute
Hibakusha
Catherine Branch, flute
Composers in Red Sneakers Young Composers Competition
2008 WINNER (3rd PLACE)
About
Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many survivors were plagued with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. These survivors are known as Hibakusha (pronounced “hih-BAHK-shah”). This piece seeks to capture their state of shock, sometimes described as a ‘frozen dream,’ as they were ever-haunted by their devastating past. While this was first envisioned as a larger ensemble piece, there is something profoundly isolating about the survivors’ condition, which suggested the solo instrumental treatment adopted here.
When performed in Japan, the piece is titled MEISO…hibakusha ni sasagu (Meditation…Dedicated to Hibakusha).
Recording
Beauport Classical
Performer
Catherine Branch, flute
Publication
PARMA Anthology of Contemporary Music
Publication
SCI Journal of Music Scores, vol. 40 (2008): 11-17
US Premiere
February 11, 2006
Society of Composers, Inc. Region VI Conference
Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, Houston, TX
Catherine Branch, flute
International Premiere
March 11, 2009
Webster Trio Japan concert
Tokyo Bunka Kaikan
Leone Buyse, flute
Press
Ongaku No Tomo
Akemi Hara
“[In] Gaubert’s ‘Romance,’ flute and piano, and Alon’s “Meiso…dedicated to Hibakusha,’ solo flute, Buyse performed with healing tone, especially the second piece (Meiso), her performance sincerely brought us a message of memorial and prayer for peace.”
American Record Guide
Allen Gimbel (2012)
“…[the] ‘numb state of shock’ is put forth by spooky humming into the instrument, shivering flutter-tonguing, and pent sighs punctuating lonely melodic lines.”
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