Rising Sun (based on Japanese Folk Songs) Eric Rath

Rising Sun was commissioned by the Taylor High School Band (Taylor, TX) under the direction
of Scott Simmons, Director of Bands. It was premiered on May 23rd, 2013.
Rising Sun is comprised almost entirely of Japanese folk songs that the composer researched
and collected over a four month period. Each folk song that is included here has been given a
western treatment to fit the idiom of the concert band, but is intended to promote and pique interest in
the indigenous music of Japan.
The folk songs used in Rising Sun include in order Soran­bushi, Kuroda­bushi, Kokiriko­bushi, and perhaps the most famous Japanese folk tune to western ears: Sakura Sakura.
Other original material is included to tie the themes together and the use of percussion assists
in bringing a Taiko (traditional Japanese drumming) sound to the piece. Vocal punctuations
performed by the woodwind and brass players bring a sound similar to the vocalization found in
Japanese Noh theater (a century­old form of theater that is a mix of music and chant and is sometimes
likened to Japanese Opera).
The final section of the piece (measure 142 to the end) blends many of the stated themes
together and weaves previous elements juxtaposed on each other