Northern Star (2017)
Commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Duration: 7 min
Instrumentation: 2222/4231/timp/2 perc/harp/pno-cel/strings
Commissioned in 2017 by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Star was written to be the fourth segment of the True North: Symphonic Ballet project, a large-scale collaboration in honour of Canada’s 150th celebration.
Northern Star begins in a place of darkness in the aftermath of war and destruction. The piece centers on the North Star as the shining light that gradually emerges and brightens, illuminating the way from brokenness back to humanity. The essence of Northern Star is the original narrative created by choreographer Yukichi Hattori; his beautifully poetic description inspired the writing of this piece. An excerpt from his notes reads: “[The movement] will start with the mourning of the fallen. Blood red leaves in the Autumn and their demise…sense of loss, complete darkness. Then the north star shining bright to guide our way, [and] we see all the beauty that lives among us. Shimmering stars, fireflies that are believed to be the souls of the deceased, dew drops on the trees reflecting the faint light source, and the dark night sky that swallows everything…This movement is meant to emphasize reflection on the inner self. True enlightenment coming from within.”
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