New work for bassoon by Kohei Kondo

One of the many benefits I've experienced from maintaining this blog is that I receive fascinating and informative emails from bassoonists and composers from all over the world.  Recently I heard from Japanese composer Kohei Kondo (check out his website here) who lives in the west part of Japan, in Hyogo Prefecture.  He reports that following the earthquake in East Japan, he composed a work in memory of the victims of the earthquake and nuclear reactors.  It is written for solo bassoon, entitled Prayer on the Seashore, Op. 121.

Here is a recording of bassoonist Robert Ronnes of Norway performing the world premiere of Prayer on the Seashore:



The PDF is available for downloading on Kohei Kondo's website.  Although the composer has arranged the piece for other instruments, its haunting, pensive quality is particularly well-suited for the bassoon, for which it was originally written. 

 Mr. Kondo encourages us to perform his piece.  Music plays a healing role in tragedy, as was so remarkably evidenced by the countless concerts which took place in the aftermath of 9/11.  Mr. Kondo mentioned in his emails how grateful Japan is for the worldwide support following the disaster.  His composition offers us (and our audiences) a meaningful way to acknowledge what the Japanese people have endured. 

When you visit Kohei Kondo's website, be sure to notice his Quartet for Flute, Bassoon, Violin and Cello "Where the Ocean Current Passes 2" Op. 102.  (Its PDF is also available for downloading.)  This piece was a prize winner in the 2010 "Kland der Welt - Ostasien" composing competition of Duetsche Oper Berlin.

Mr. Kondo requests that we inform him by email at R5656m@aol.com if we perform one of his works, and I predict that many of us will!