Description: This piece is a symphonic poem about Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tokugawa Hidetada. Hidetada was the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu and the second Tokugawa shogunate following Ieyasu’s two-year reign as the first Tokugawa shogunate. During Hidetada’s reign as shogun, Ieyasu still held supreme power, until his death, by appointing himself ogosho.
The piece opens with the decisive Battle of Sakigahara, on the morning of October 21, 1600. The omninous vocal opening, suggests the importance of this battle, that the winner, will gain control over all of Japan. At the battlefield, Tokugawa Ieyasu’s presence is heard as the first melody following the opening singing sequence. In the distance, Hidetada is far away, but on his way to his father’s side (as portrayed by the softer clarinet section).
The rumbling of the timpani and gong suggest the anticipation of the beginning of the battle. As the Tokugawa battles the Toyotomi, there is no clear advantage on either side. As the battle progresses, Kobayakawa Hideaki’s troops had not moved from their position on the slopes of Mt. Nangu, and were just observing the fighting below (rehearsal letter C). Frustrated, Ieyasu orders rifle rounds to fire at their location (represented by the percussion mm. 66, one measure before rehearsal letter D). The battle then continues with Kobayakawa’s ranks joining forces with the Tokugawa, leading to their victory. Hidetada, finally arrives, and is received coldly by Ieyasu (represented by the flute solo in mm. 76). Hidetada’s emotions are expressed in this section. A silent urge and desire to please his father and fulfill his duties as a lord, warrior and son. During this time in history, Ieyasu receives the title of shogun, and serves for two years, then relinquishes the title to Hidetada. To represent Hidetada’s eventual rise to the title of shogun, like his father before him, the melody goes from oboe, to flute (earlier representing Ieyasu) then to horn. Poetically, as he is still the son, (and historically as Ieyasu still held supreme power as ogosho) the entire passage ends with the oboe.
The final section is Hidetada’s reign as shogun. Along with his father as ogosho, embark on the Winter Siege of 1614 and Summer Siege of 1615. These battles finally destroy the last of the Toyotomi Clan.
Composed: 1998
Length: 7'40
Difficulty: Medium
Instrumentation: Wind Ensemble
Sample: mp3
English
日本語
