Eihei-Ji
Written in memory of the calligrapher Masanori Taki.
Premiered on 2nd September 2013 in Echizen-shi Bunka Center, Takefu, Japan at the Takefu International Music Festival by Tosiya Suzuki.
This score was written in response to a request by Tosiya Suzuki after our enriching collaboration in 2006 when I was a visiting composer at the Takefu Intenatinal Music Festival.
During my visit in 2006, several memorable experiences have stayed with me through the years. One was the extraordinary Buddhist temple of Eihei-ji and the strong spirituality that I took with me after visiting. This wonderful place inspires the title. I will never forget the wonderful hospitality and conversation with Masanori Taki and his wife Ikue at there home in Takefu. When I learned of his passing away I wanted to dedicate this piece to his memory.