This piece is inspired by The Tempest, William Shakespeare's final play. At its heart lies a story of people drawn together by a storm, who overcome hatred and move toward reconciliation. The composition revolves around the central theme of "love and forgiveness." At the request of the commissioning ensemble, the piece prominently features drum set and alto saxophone.
[Synopsis of The Tempest]
The story begins when a ship carrying King Alonso of Naples and Duke Antonio of Milan is caught in a violent storm and wrecked on a remote island. Unbeknownst to them, the island is inhabited by Prospero - Alonso's older brother who was overthrown by Antonio twelve years earlier - and his daughter Miranda. Using his magical powers, Prospero created the storm to exact revenge and lure his enemies to the island.
The shipwrecked group, unaware of the island's secrets, becomes entangled in a web of love, betrayal, and manipulation orchestrated by Prospero. Ferdinand, the young prince and son of Alonso, falls in love with Miranda and must endure Prospero's trials to prove his true love. Meanwhile, Duke Antonio secretly plots to murder King Alonso, and the island's creature Caliban schemes to rebel against his master, Prospero. However, all these plots are thwarted by the fairy spirit Ariel, who serves Prospero.
As Prospero watches his enemies fall into confusion and despair, he realizes the futility of revenge. Moved by their remorse and vulnerability, he decides to forgive them. This leads to reconciliation among the characters, and plans are made for Ferdinand and Miranda's wedding upon their return home. Ariel is granted freedom, and Prospero himself is finally released from the darkness of vengeance. In the end, what remains after the storm is not rage, but love - not chaos, but harmony. The island served not only as a place of trials, but also of purification. Prospero's heart, once consumed by vengeance, softens and regains peace. Before the group stretches a calm sea shimmering under the bright sun.
[About the Music]
The piece opens with a panoramic scene of the vast ocean and a distant ship on the horizon. As Prospero's magic draws near, dark clouds gather - depicted through shifting harmonies. Thunderous brass represents Prospero's fury and magic, leading into a fierce storm. Rapid woodwind scales and explosive brass portray the raging tempest and the frantic chaos aboard the ship.
The middle section begins with a quiet woodwind solo, depicting the moment Ferdinand and Miranda fall in love. The tender love theme is repeated across different instruments, set against the calm sea after the storm. However, a sense of unease gradually creeps in, hinting at the conspiracies of Antonio and Caliban elsewhere on the island.
Suddenly, the mood shifts to a jazz-influenced section with a lively tempo, illustrating the tension between plots of treachery and the forces of magic trying to stop them. The music captures both the gravity and irony of human nature as it wavers between guilt and fear.
In the final section, reconciliation is finally achieved. A grand, majestic melody sings of love and forgiveness. The long-clouded sky clears, and the world is bathed in radiant sunlight - a warm and hopeful image. The love theme from the middle returns in a triumphant tone, and the piece concludes in a brilliant finale that blends classical and jazz elements.
The composition is structured with two contrasting styles: classical sections reminiscent of Shakespearean musical theater, and rhythmically modern jazz-inspired sections that evoke the spirit of a Broadway musical. By embracing the contrast between these two worlds and being mindful of their differences while performing, musicians can bring out the rich expressive character of the piece.
(Yuichi Abe)
