Ryohei Hirose

Songs of the Ocean

Ann Cameron Pearce was inspired to arrange these three tone poems for SATB chorus when she heard them performed by the Jim Marshall Chorale in 1994. Composer Ryohei Hirose, perhaps best known for his flute ensemble Blue Train, was a respected professor and administrator in the Kyoto City University of Arts music department for more than 20 years, and originally wrote music for traditional Japanese instruments. The three pieces included here, There Was No Ocean, The Tufted Puffin, and Lullaby for the Ocean represent some of his later work for traditional western instruments and voicings, and translate beautifully to flute choir. For advanced ensembles.