Sakura

1 Full Score - 1 Soprano Saxophone I - 1 Soprano Saxophone II - 2 Alto Saxophone I - 2 Alto Saxophone II - 2 Tenor Saxophone - 1 Baritone Saxophone - 4 Flugelhorn I - 4 Flugelhorn II - 4 Flugelhorn III - 1 Cornet Eb - 2 Trumpet I - 2 Trumpet II - 2 Trumpet III - 2 Trumpet IV - 2 Horn I + II Eb - 2 Horn I + II F - 2 Horn III + IV Eb - 2 Horn III + IV F - 2 Trombone I C - 1 Trombone I Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone I Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone II C - 1 Trombone II Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone II Bb (BC) - 2 Trombone III C - 1 Trombone III Bb (TC) - 1 Trombone III Bb (BC) - 1 Trombone Bass C - 2 Baritone C - 2 Baritone Bb (BC) - 2 Baritone Bb (TC) - 2 Baritone II C - 2 Baritone II Bb (BC) - 2 Baritone II Bb (TC) - 2 Euphonium C - 2 Euphonium Bb (BC) - 2 Euphonium Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (TC) - 2 Bas Bb (BC) - 2 Bas Eb (TC) - 2 Bas Eb (BC) - 2 Tuba C - 1 Stringbass - 1 Harp - 2 Percussion I - 2 Percussion II - 1 Timpani

Sakura, the cherry blossom, has always played a major role in the Japanese culture. The blossom stands as a symbol for precariousness and perishableness of life. When the blossom has reached its utmost beauty it dies and falls on the earth, a real symbol of human mortality. Spring (Haru) is heralded by the blooming of the cherry trees and in those special days the weather-forecasts mention on which days the first blossoms are expected in the different areas of the country. Watching the cherry blossoms is a favourite pastime in Japan. Parties are organized under the cherry trees to celebrate the arrival of Spring; this tradition is called Hanami (watching the flowers). The composition 'Sakura' is the second part of Alfred Reed’s 'Fifth Symphony', a real masterpiece. In fact, the music is an arrangement of one of the oldest Japanese folksongs called 'Sakura'. It is a long elegiac and nostalgic tune, followed by a series of variations developed in individual instrumental groups. Geert Schrijvers wrote the arrangement of this beautiful work.