Many anthropologists believe that all Asian cultures emanated from China. It stands to reason, then, that their music had similar roots.

This piece, written for the Pomona Community Concert Band, Pomona, California, utilizes themes from following folk tunes: Ariang from Korea; Sakura and Rain from Japan; and Jung ai shir ren (John 3:16) from China. The composer spent three years as a missionary in China so there is an unusual interjection of a traditional Sunday School song included in the piece in the center section and recapitulated in the final section.

Since the railroad was a major means of transportation in the 1970's, when the composer had his tour of duty as a missionary, there is a definite reference to this means of transportation. There is an element of aleotoric music, present in the Flute and Oboe part, as accompaniment to the section sung by the band of the tune "Rain."

Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flutes 1-2, Oboes 1-2, English horn, Bassoons 1-2, Eb Clarinet, Bb Clarinets 1-2-3, Bb Bass Clarinet, Eb Alto Saxophones 1-2, Bb Tenor Saxophone, Eb Baritone Saxophone, Bb Cornets 1-2-3, Bb Trumpets 1-2, F Horns 1-2-3-4, Trombones 1-2, Bass Trombone, Baritone (T.C.), Euphonium, Tuba, String Bass, Percussion 1-2-3-4

Difficulty: Difficult.
Performance time: 10:30

Catalog item: TMP950124

Price: $50.00