Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.
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Sakura dancing
like snow on the winds of change
reflect in water.
Sakura translates as ‘Cherry Blossom’. I was daydreaming in the Jardin Japonais, Nantes. I watched as cherry blossom floated on the breeze, settling gently on the calm surface of a pond. A year later, the blossom did not linger long; strong gusts of wind sent flurries of petals cascading everywhere. These beautiful images inspired me to write a haiku and the piece grew with this in mind.
I play the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute, and especially love Honkyoku (traditional solo shakuhachi music). In Sakura, these ancient sounds are evoked by the alto flute, and by air blowing through wind instruments, later mimicked by percussion and strings. This gentle change of timbre reflects ‘the winds of change’.
I love the meditative sense of peace and calm I feel when playing the shakuhachi. If I can ever convey that feeling through my compositions so that the audience can feel it too, then I will be very happy.
from notes by Eloise Nancie Gynn © 2013