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CAIT NISHIMURA HIRAETH
for bassoon and piano
PERUSALSCORE
CAIT NISHIMURA HIRAETH
for bassoon and piano
Duration: 6:30
Instrumentation: Bassoon and Piano
Program note and publishing information:
Hiraeth is a Welsh word used to describe a combination of homesickness, wistfulness, and nostalgia, particularly when referring to a place or time that one simply cannot return to.
While working on this project, I moved to a new home in a new city. This move was a positive change, and offered a substantial improvement in personal health and well-being; it also meant leaving Toronto, a city I called home for eleven years. In this special place, I made lifelong friends, launched my career, and both found and shed several versions of myself. I grew to tolerate the concrete and urban noise, and I found solace in the magical green spaces the city weaves between. Walking from bustling streets to calm ravines, re ecting and reconnecting among trees older than buildings, feeling supported and inspired by the water. Hiraeth is a musical exploration of my experience saying goodbye to Toronto and discovering an internal sense of home.
The original version of this piece for baritone saxophone was commissioned and premiered by Carter Vernon (who was born in Toronto!) at Purdue University, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Five dollars from every purchase of this piece will be donated to the Nature Conservancy of Canada. Thank you for helping to support this important work. To learn more, visit natureconservancy.ca
Note to the performers:
Each time the sequence of chords appears in the piano part (m.1-5, 26-27, 62-65, 73-74, 105-107, and 130-end) please take your time to bring out as much colour and sensitivity as possible. These chords act as the transitions between musical ideas, and are meant to be quite pensive and re ective. Feel free to play out of time and ease into each new section.
The chord progression beginning at letter D was the rst idea written for this piece. When arriving here, this section should be one of the most tender and emotional moments of the piece, and by contrast, the build through to letter E should be full of energy and momentum.
Copyright © Cait Nishimura (SOCAN) All rights reserved. Published by Cait Nishimura Music | caitnishimura.com
Distributed by Just a Theory Press | justatheorypress.com
First edition published in 2020; second edition in 2025
Front cover photography and design by Cait Nishimura
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wistful and re
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Nishimura: Hiraeth (Ba ) JAT-161-004.01-SP