Natsumi Kumagishi "Hana no iro ha..."

【Composition/Performance/Electronics】

Natsumi Kumagishi / Hana no iro ha... for solo soprano saxophone and electronics (2021)

Soprano saxophone, Natsumi Kumagishi

花の色は 移りにけりな いたづらに (in Japanese)

Hana no iro ha  utsuri ni keri na itazura ni

The color of the flower has faded in vain. (in English)

This is the first half of a “tanka”, a kind of ancient Japanese poem, by Onono Komachi.

The second half of the tanka means “during the spring rain”.

By the way, this tanka has a second interpretation : “The radiance of my beauty has faded , while I was absorbed by my thoughts on life.”

This work signifies that life is elusive.

I wrote this piece by quoting the first half of this tanka , comparing it to the situation we experienced in 2020 and asking myself a question :

“ Has the time that passed while I was away from home make me forget it ?”

In addition, a three-note pattern “La-Si-Do”, in Japanese “i-ro-ha” means color.

This color alludes to a part of the title of the piece.

This pattern is used in the piece in a different transposition “Si-Do#-Ré”.

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The color of cherry blossoms has faded in vain.

I have not been able to return to the country in a long time.

Has the time , which passed while I was away make me forget about it ?

-No! I always think about it , I should be able to be there!

After all , my wish doesn’t come true easily.

But cherry blossoms clearly remind me of the color, the smell, the sweetness and the faces of people back home, anytime, anywhere I am … 

(text by Natsumi Kumagishi) 

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