Kendama
けんだま
Preview — 26 sec.
A playful miniature for orchestra inspired by the Japanese skill toy kendama.
Repeated attempts, shifting rhythms, and an exuberant finish.
About the Work
The ball misses the spike again and again, prompting another attempt each time.
Changing meters and recurring figures, continually reshaped by the orchestration, drive the music forward. The ending swells as if the ball has finally landed on the spike.
Instrumentation
2 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo)
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in B♭
2 Bassoons
4 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in B♭
2 Trombones
Tuba
Timpani
Xylophone
Glockenspiel
Bass Drum
Strings
Audio / Score / Parts
Performance
A compact orchestral miniature of approximately 55 seconds.