Because of the morning

Composer: Ko Matsushita

Words from composer:

This piece was composed in 2006 for the Singaporean conductor Lim Ai Hooi and the Nanyang Technological University Choir, and a revised version was completed in late 2021.

The text is a poem of the same name by Shuntaro Tanikawa, which consists of three stanzas. The piece progresses in a way that follows the content of the poem.

Here is the structure of the piece and the development of the drama.

Introduction: The solo vocalise of Tempo rubato echoes in the continuation of the D note of the female voice, which seems to be evoked from some other dimension. The arrival of a pure and vivid morning.

First part: Singing the first stanza of the poem. A moment to connect with yourself in the fresh air. Listen to your inner voice and meet your innocent heart. You are surrounded by quiet meditation.

Interlude 1: The interaction between the two soloists is like a bird flying through the forest (the perfect 5th degree layer [G, D, A] played by the chorus). It is a free and graceful world.

Second part: This part expresses the same world as the first part, but in terms of sound, the structure contrasts with the first part—a world of tension and mystery.

Interlude 2: Similar to the Introduction and Interlude 1, but the chorus makes the triad sound richer here. In other words, the chorus grows from unison to perfect fifths to the triad.

Part 3: This is where the song begins. It is a gentle, generous, and moving song.

Ending: The solo melody played here is even more impressive. The solo melody played here is even more impressive, because there is a section played only by the soloist. The world returns to silence, but our hearts swell with hope and turn toward the world (and the universe).