This piece concerns the great British monarch, Queen Victoria. It portrays her tumultuous life from accession to the throne to her later years. "La Reine Victoria" is a rose created in France in 1872, belonging to the Old Bourbon roses. "La Reine" means "The Queen" in French, making it a rose truly dedicated to Queen Victoria. Balmoral Castle was a Highland retreat dearly loved by Queen Victoria. After her husband Albert died at the young age of 42 in 1861, plunging Victoria into the depths of despair, she secluded herself in Balmoral. She decided to spend the rest of her life in mourning attire, wearing black for the next 40 years. The work begins with a solemn chorale, and beautiful melodies express Queen Victoria's strength, passion, and solitude. It depicts various episodes from her challenging early years, her pursuit of national development and glory, to her love and loss of Prince Consort Albert. It celebrates Victoria's humanity and the historical significance of the empire she built, evoking her era with touching melodies and grand scale, allowing listeners to reacquaint themselves with her greatness and influence.

(Masanori Taruya)