Jalan-Jalan - Vision of the Isle of the Gods Shin'ya Takahashi

Ein Traum von der Insel der Götter

The composer Shin'ya Takahashi (*1962) explained that the idea for the piece came from Bali, and uses modal, rhythmic and melodic elements of the music at home on this island. Interestingly, the music of Okinawa has certain similarities, and in history, when it was the island nation of Ryukyu, its people enjoyed seafaring trade with the Balinese region of Indonesia. Jalan-Jalan is the Indonesian term for walking or foot trip. The composer imagines a day-long stroll through the scenery of the Isle of the Gods, and focuses upon four views in the following sequence: A Scene at Dawn', The Morning Market', Early Afternoon', and an unmistakable finale Male Dance by Torchlight'. The work was premiered in 2000 by the renowned Hamamatsu Symphonic Band, and has been popular fare in Japan since.