Itaru Sakai

A Boundary Island op. 118

A Boundary Island was written for the Rose Brass Ensemble and the RivST Brass Quintet. The première took place at a concert given by both brass ensembles on 13 April 2010 at the Rose Hall in Toyonaka Osaka in Japan. In this composition, the composer wanted to express the universal nature of music through as a language through which people everywhere can communicate. Two themes are presented at the beginning of the piece: the first, in a fanfare style, harks back to a quote from the opening of Mahler's 5th symphony. It contrasts with the second, more melancholic theme. The animated main section has its own powerful theme but it also reverts to the two opening themes in a new treatment. After a short return to the slower tempo of the introduction, the piece concludes at a faster pace.