〜1st place, Guild of Carillonneurs of North America Sally Slade Warner Arrangement Competition 2020〜
Itsuki Lullaby is a folk song from Itsuki village, in Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. This is one of many Japanese folk songs that were sung by little girls from poor families who were sent to serve ruling class families. Unlike the Western classical lullabies that were sung for babies by their parents, this folk song was sung by teenage girls who were forced to babysit their landlord’s children. Therefore, the lyrics of Itsuki Lullaby represent the little girls’ miserable circumstances and nostalgia for their family. Since it is a lullaby, there are no loud or busy sections. However, in this arrangement, I wanted to express the anger and frustration these girls must have had, adding impetuous rhythms and dynamics, utilizing the full power of carillon instrument.

Arranged by Naoko Tsujita
Performed by Lynnli Wang

Itsuki Lullaby for Carillon

Emmanuel Sejourne Marimba Concerto I

Emmanuel Sejourne Marimba Concerto II

Nocturne Dance by Naoko Tsujita received a "Special Mention" from the jury of Perpignan's Sacred Music Festival composition competition held in January 2019. The link for this sheet music is below. Published version by the American Carillon Music Editions is shorter, about 2 minutes, than this recording.  https://americancarillonmusiceditions.com/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&cPath=4&prev_page=search&search_in_description=1&keyword=Naoko%20Tsujita&inc_subcat=0&sort=3a&products_id=686

Nocturne Dance

Performed by François Lacelle. Sheet music $10. Send me an email: hello@naokomusic.com
"Gamelan Suite (2019)" consist of two movements that are written in different styles. The first movement represents relatively slower oscillation between the strings, which is an imitation of the gamelan Degung style. For the second movement, the Balinese style of higher frequency is applied. Moreover, I maintained the mood of traditional Gamelan music for the first movement to display the natural sound of the guitar. On the other hand, the second movement shows North America's influence on the continuing Gamelan tradition

Gamelan Suite for solo guitar

The imagery in this piece takes influence from the sound of Gamelan, a traditional set of bronze gongs native to Indonesia. Unlike “Gamelan Suite” for solo guitar which I wrote in 2019, this piece contains a vivid energy and polyrhythmic textures which depict an exciting journey. This piece has an innocent and childlike quality characterized by its short, high-energy, moto perpetuo passages, which remind the listener of rollercoasters and amusement park sounds. This free-spirited energy is hopeful and bright, showing excitement for the future. While life under quarantine can often feel sluggish and repetitive, this piece was written to contrast the challenges our society faces in these difficult times and to help us remember the world that faces us when lockdown ends. I sincerely believe that, despite the pandemic we all face, it is possible to find happiness in even the most challenging circumstances.
Sheet music($10) is available - https://www.naokomusic.com/compositions.

Naoko Tsujita

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