Soprano singer Yuki Akimoto (right) performs the middle song of her new song, “Farewell to the Earth”.The piano was played by Nohiro Motoyama in Sumida Ward.
A new movement has been added to Holst’s suite “Planets” (7 songs in total), which is known to include the famous piece “Jupiter.” The theme is “Voyager,” which left the solar system and went on a journey through the galaxy. To honor the achievements of the unmanned space probe, which was launched in 1977 and now has only a few batteries left, the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will perform its world premiere at Sumida Triphony Hall in Sumida Ward on July 7th.
…Farewell solar system, farewell Earth. We will never set foot on Terra (Earth) again. However, we are the heroes of the sun. Let’s set out on a new journey with the memories of our hometown close to our hearts. Goodbye everyone. My beloved hometown…
A demo performance of the new song was held at the same hall on the 15th of this month. The song’s melancholy yet beautiful melody, “Farewell to the Earth,” was performed with English lyrics, and soprano singer Yuki Akimoto’s clear singing voice resonated.
◆Personification of space travel
In the song, an anthropomorphic Voyager travels through space, encountering strange life forms and scattered stars. A dramatic depiction of an adventurer who leaves Earth and feels lonely, thinking he will never return, but who carries with him the dreams and hopes of humanity.
The suite “Planets” consists of seven songs: Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and additional songs have been created with themes of asteroids and Pluto. This time, music producer Yo Ozawa (65) wanted to make a song before Voyager’s batteries ran out. In preparation for this year, the 150th anniversary of Holst’s birth, last spring we asked Kensaku Shimizu, a composer who graduated from Harvard University, where Holst was a lecturer, and is a professor at Niigata University, to compose a piece.
“We created a world of sound that depicts Voyager’s journey over many years.We created a video-like flow and expressed loneliness and sadness,” says Shimizu. There will be a large lineup of over 100 people, including nine horns and four rare Wagner tubas. A female chorus from Toho Gakuen University and a pipe organ will also be included, and Shizuo Z. Kuwahara, who specializes in conducting large ensembles, will be in charge at the premiere.
Voyager actually carries a gold-covered copper record called the “Golden Record” in case it encounters intelligent extraterrestrial life. Sound sources such as Beethoven’s “Fate” are also engraved, and these motifs are interwoven into the new song.
Talking about the history of the space probe Voyager at a new song presentation (from left) Emeritus Professor Yasunori Matokawa of JAXA, Senior Professor Junichi Watanabe of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, composer and Professor Kensaku Shimizu of Niigata University, and CEO Mitsunobu Okada of Astroscale Holdings. In Sumida Ward
Space experts also took the stage at the new song presentation. Yasunori Matokawa, professor emeritus of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Junichi Watanabe, senior professor at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, explained the solar system and the launch of Voyager. Mitsunobu Okada, CEO of Astroscale Holdings, which has a factory in Sumida Ward and is engaged in the business of removing space debris, said, “I’m looking forward to seeing how music will express the world 20 billion kilometers away.” ” he said with high expectations.
All seats for the performance are reserved, S seats 6,000 yen, A seats 5,000 yen. To apply, please visit the Sumida Triphony Hall homepage or call the ticket center at 03 (5608) 1212.
Unmanned space probes for planets outside the solar system and beyond the solar system by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 1 was launched on September 5, 1977, and observed Jupiter, Saturn, and their moons. Mission 2 was launched on August 20 of the same year, and observed Uranus and Neptune in addition to the planets visited by Mission 1. Discover new moons for each planet and the rings of Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune. It is currently in space, more than 20 billion kilometers away from Earth.
Text by Rina Suzuki/Photo by Naoko Yuki
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Tags: Voyager movement Suite Planets celebrate years achievements spacecraft World premiere Sumida Tanabata Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web
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