Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song by Samuel R. Hazo

[@isaknuelle6781]

Based on the hauntingly beautiful Sunayama, this composition tells a story of the inner conflict of a Japanese girl who falls in love with an American. She is torn between a life with him in America and her longing for the culture of her childhood. From time to time she plays a music box given to her by her parents (Sunayama theme), bringing a flood of homeland memories. The composer weaves together a tapestry of sounds and moods as the piece builds to a fulfilling climax of musical drama and power.

[@youcantkeeprunninginandout7240]

Isak Nuelle I remember doing this a few years ago with my schools wind band. The director let us do a rough run through the first time and it was ok, peetty good for a full highschool band sight-reading. Then he told us the syory behind the piece and let us play it again. The next time we played through it it was as if everybody had been practicing their parts for years, Myself and a few others ended up crying when the song finished. It was the first time I had been fully moved by something I had played and I will never forget it

[@MrHadoukenful]

@@youcantkeeprunninginandout7240 Context makes everything! If I were in your spot, I wouldve been moved just as much

[@ummmchileanyways1785]

Wow

[@hallowedknight234]

You copied that form the description

[@quintonhoracek648]

I'm Proud to say for my last band concert in High school, my band director let me conduct this piece. I love this piece no matter what.

[@JohnJApanovitch]

My friend asked me to conduct this as part of his birthday celebration, as he is playing it in band. I'm so excited to get to practice this piece, then perform it. That's so cool that your director allowed you to conduct it, and I'm sure you did a fantastic job! :D

[@parzi2946]

I’m playing it right now in middle school 7th grade

[@boobop45]

Congratulations!!👏🏾👏🏾❤️

[@iknowyouknowleeknow7893]

Omg congrats!!! I’m playing this for my senior year of High school

[@nigelfortes1370]

​@@parzi29467TH GRADE?

[@ivys1991]

Catch me during Concert Assessment like, "look that girl on timpani is crying"

[@kavina6316]

😂I play the bass clarinet and I could not stop crying when we played this at our concert especially during the woodwind feature and the climax lol

[@animal_cannibal]

As a girl in band playing this piece on the timpani, I will most definitely be sobbing when we play it at a performance

[@roxieann7885]

Our band played this song at States and we received straight 1's. We made the audience cry. We also played Undertow, you should go check out that song as well.

[@LindenIvy]

Roxie Ann what high school do you go to?

[@cyanr]

we got straight 1's at assessments but weren't able to attend states because of the virus. Playing it was loads of fun though.

[@zacharybold3667]

calling bs on the audience crying

[@Mason-hv5zh]

Undertow the John Mackey Piece?

[@EminenceRL]

Sorry but undertow is mid

[@mentaldentalgaming]

Sam Hazo, once again, shows that he is a master. Unbelievable talent.

[@SoupDatabase]

so true

[@kelso7110]

Had him as a conductor once, he is insufferable but I agree his compositions are fantastic.

[@baconbros4300]

The 13 people who disliked this are insane and have no idea what true music is.

[@BlueCometEntertainment347]

IKR

[@mileswebb7893]

That thirteen is now 24 just an update

[@zooker2185]

29

[@Kisao2]

Update to 32

[@pixtonuser5806]

34 now. Stop disliking this!

[@jaketadd180]

For once, I, the Tuba player, wouldn't care about the easier baseline in favor of the beautiful song. This piece is a stunning work of art, and one that I hope to be able to play someday to bring this unspeakably beautiful piece to more audiences.

[@sfmdude568]

Samuel Hazo somehow told a better love story than literally anyone at Hollywood.

[@Lovevagina666]

💑

[@pigeon4422]

the runs on the flutes are SO PRETTY

[@ashontiwithano]

3:10-3:18. Especially the rip at 3:16. Goosebumps. Every. Single. Time.

[@hankkirby5386]

iLearnedItFromThePizzaMan Rip as in Rest In Peace lips

[@derrickjeromeweaverjr.2404]

Samuel Hazo hates woodwinds and French Horn

[@dumbness70]

​@@hankkirby5386french horns rulleeeeeeee . I play the french horn and this part sounds soooo 👍👍 nice

[@E_Ligio]

@@dumbness70Ngl as a French horn player myself This slaps

[@AidSlashAssist]

Same

[@calebmartinez9875]

I'm a freshman right now and I'm in band and I just got this piece I was so shock and amazed on how beautifully this song made I wanted to play music like this for awhile now

[@Sleepyhecc]

Caleb Martinez fight

[@Sleepyhecc]

me

[@sadiecyr]

Caleb Martinez damn, my senior band at my school got this piece.

[@sadblanket1509]

@@sadiecyr we got this in 7th grade 3 years ago lmao

[@MickeyX2M]

Damn u a senior now

[@themelloman08]

Playing this as a horn player is a difficult high school piece to play the lead for, but my lord is it so beautiful

[@akirahoagland9856]

I’m playing this with our band and I love it so much. I actually teared up a bit. I get the 1st flute and all the solos and it’s so beautiful. Kinda funny cause my names Akira which is Japanese (I’m not Japanese in the slightest). When I showed my mom this price she cried.

[@cyrusmf]

oh my god I cried playing this song in 2 different concerts 😭 I played glockenspiel (bells)

[@mika_xx7410]

my boyfriend is japanese and in the military. he came home three days after my band played this on stage for our concert. i sobbed so many tears on that stage and during rehearsal from this piece, and it’s something i’ll never forget. thank you, Hazo.

[@Swuidward_]

Sam Hazo best lyrical piece ever! The Japanese folk influenced melodies are so powerful. Trumpets are just..... Amazing! Woodwinds are beautiful in the piece. Brass have their chance to shine in many spots. And the Percussion.....they leave me speechless each time. Once again, one of Hazo's best compositions

[@laissez_fa1re]

jesus, this piece is everything! I love the flutes lower notes and the sixteenth notes. the french horn counter-melodies and the power of the trumpet coming through at the end. just everything

[@nothingREALLY.matters]

Band geeks are jammin

[@unfoldedsoul1778]

I hate everybody who disliked this it is a beautiful piece of music.

[@00Kie00]

That percussion build up into the brass at 3:30 gives me the biggest chills every time. My favorite band piece since high school!

[@bandito1007]

I sit right behind the contrabass clarinet and everytime she plays her first note gives my chills.

[@spncrprkr]

Contras’ll do that to you

[@codymalina9911]

Our highschool band played this for our winter concert in 2020, at Alta vista church in temple Texas, our 1st trumpet (Alie Hesler) was in tears after we played this song, we also played these songs in this order, American Riversongs, Fantasy Of A Japanese Folk Song, Metamorphosis, and A Zillion Nickles. We had people who didn’t enjoy band stand up in clap aggressively, this concert is by far the best moment of my life and will forever be.

[@theimpossiblesnicks]

How fitting that I got to play a Hazo piece on my first and last semester of college undergrad: Arabesque on my first semester, and this one on my last. From the piece that made me switch to bass clarinet to the one that made me glad I stayed.

[@foundationsoversight8479]

This is my all-time favorite song to listen to when I'm sad or doing something. I love the Japanese style.

[@foundationsoversight8479]

It's beautifully made, an absolute masterpiece. It's made especially beautiful when you grow up in a world of ugly, disgusting, rap music, and have an ear for actual music, instead of the disgusting, malicious, side-heaving mess they play nowadays....... It's nice to have a reprieve.

[@pineconeapple]

Idk if you know what the music is about but like, it makes kt so much cooler. Its kinda sad though lol.

[@foundationsoversight8479]

@@pineconeapple I can see that now that I have grown and matured a bit. But much of it can still be classified as "inappropriate" to many.

[@Composer_Piggy]

The flute part at 0:52 is so beautiful

[@ninalockie]

i was in percussion from grade 5 until my last year, grade 12. playing this piece stood out to me as it was one of the last i got to perform with some of my favourite people. this song is an eerie kind of love. so honoured to have played the bell part

[@WolfgangXP65-67]

This is my favorite Hazo piece. Arabesque has nothing on this amazing work of art. This is masterful musical craftsmanship combining a Japanese theme with emotional drama, subtle moments sprinkled around and the build-up to the climax, then the key change from F minor to G minor in a beautiful scene. If I made music like this, I would immediately publish it.

[@animal_cannibal]

My highschool band is going to UIL with this piece this year, and as the timpani player, hearing it from a lesser piece (in how often I play not in importance) it's just so beautiful. I find myself staring at the flutes instead of the director or my music because of their entrances, always on the verge of tears. I will probably cry at contest if I had to guess (Edit: I mispelled a word)

[@adampeters3351]

Played this 6 years ago when I was a freshman in high school still love it today.

[@TheGoose03]

Look Mr. Hilla, I’m listening to the music

[@dastalinstarblade4618]

I loved this piece in high school! I played the glockenspiel for this one, so the solo flute player that played alonside my part liked to call me Music Box up until we graduated

[@You-v3g]

My director gave my band this song last week and I can honestly say it's one of the most beautiful things I will ever play

[@sheztreble4654]

I played this in High School with the Concert District Band. Samuel Hazo was the conductor also. All of these years later, I'll still come back to listen. We wanted to cry while playing the song lol💖💖💖

[@You-v3g]

We're playing this for our wind ensemble now and I am SO glad I'm 1st flute for it. This is such a beautiful song

[@emmaancira5433]

im simply in LOVE with this piece.

[@Puchungal12]

I totally agree

[@priscillalerma5830]

when my band played this in high school, i couldn’t help but tear up every time we rehearsed it

[@rhysespieces5902]

This is my favorite Samuel Hazo song. One day, I hope to gather the courage and ask my band director if we can play this.

[@lolitsmadelyn4389]

So, my high school band has only been around now for 5 years now? and the percussion teacher that helped open this school/band was taking a job back in his hometown to be closer to his family and this was his final piece he conducted for us and at the concert he was in tears and all of us playing it. He was such a great person and we miss him dearly, but I’m glad we played this with him. He said all band directors have dream pieces and this was his and he was crying saying how much he loved us and was glad he chose us to play this for him. I’m crying now typing this ): I miss you Mr. Perez!!

[@crazygrainger2006]

That's such a beautiful story. Stories like these are one of the reasons I'm doing a Music Teaching degree. I've completed two pre-service teacher experiences, and I didn't want to leave my last school. While trying to hold back tears, I promised the students that I'll come back as a substitute teacher while I'm studying.

[@lolitsmadelyn4389]

@@crazygrainger2006 that’s awesome!! i’m so excited that you’re pursuing that music degree. i was too for awhile but God was calling me to a different major so i ended up switching majors!! i’m still in band, but this piece will forever be a “dream piece” for me if i ever become a future band director!

[@venn8603]

I played the bassoon for this piece and it was amazing!

[@lilyreese613]

K-Botx Same!!!! It was!!

[@sochnewalakura]

I am from Nepal and I really love this Japanese folk song culture your hospitality best people on the world and also people's discipline .Love from Nepal ❤❤❤❤

[@istabkiwisforfun7907]

My HS band played this piece for concert season competition and is definitely my favorite piece out of all the songs I’ve ever been a part of. Being with the band playing it, enveloped in the heart wrenching chords buzzing around me, is one of the most joyful experiences I’ve had in my life. Such a beautiful song.

[@aubreestroman3912]

This was the flute solo for my marching show last year 😭🫶🏽

[@PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

This is one of the beautiful songs I’ve ever heard, Japanese folk music is so amazing

[@aarongrafastronaaron6563]

Samuel Hazo is definitely one of the best composers I have ever heard. My favorite peace of his is Mountain Thyme.

[@urielflores9142]

really love the dramatic vibe i am getting from this piece. Im currently a sophomore and we are learning this song and i can't believe the saxes have parts where we actually play. i love this song.

[@shulmpino5505]

This is an absolutely beautiful piece and one of my favorites from Hazo. It always reminds me of somebody once very special to me who I still miss dearly.

[@Yoon-mg9mx]

Man I love playing the harp part on the piano, it is so cool how I can hurt my fingers while sight reading this!

[@isopodfan4428]

I also play the harp part on the piano, and my hand cramped up when I played the 32nd notes earlier today 😣 boy did that hurt

[@krysztof6917]

I mean the part isn't very intuitive for harp either 😂 I like it though I guess if feel better if he wrote glisses instead of a scale but that's okay too

[@jeremyngpiano]

Absolutely breathtaking.

[@hankkirby5386]

I played this in 7th grade. Definitely my most favorite piece ever

[@christiangarcia3744]

learning how to play this with my band, really cool, awesome piece. LOVE IT

[@keylinboyd7017]

+Christian Garcia its not exactly easy for piccolo, flute, clarinet, oboe, or saxophone.

[@wavy94z]

Played this song in my band years ago and still come back at least once a week to listen to this gorgeous masterpiece. Always brought a tear to my eye while playing it.

[@paigeyeary]

this song gives me goosebumps and brings back memories of my freshman year playing this at disney :)

[@z71pack]

This is a great song we played this 10 years ago spring 2010 I was a junior 2nd Trumpet. Dwight IL Township High School

[@Needles.And.Safetypins]

I am so happy to be playing this piece in band this year. I’m a bassoon player and it is truly beautiful and artistic. I’m in love with this and the story behind it

[@Shinryakugun]

Not a time do I listen to this piece does it not bring me to tears of joy and tears of grief. Beautiful.

[@placebodomingo3277]

I have always loved this piece since I played it in band 15 years ago.

[@pandabear8516]

Wow such a beautiful piece I'm in love with it now

[@vehement.]

AHHH!!! I NEED MORE OF THIS KIND😍 I can’t imagine the absolute shock of hearing this live..!!!!

[@melissagarcia5370]

This piece is spectacular

[@erzascarlet2912]

I totally love this song it's so beautiful and it's sounds amazing as that band plays together

[@green12345554321]

if you ever get a chance read the performance notes loved this song for years and am doing a paper on it and had to read the performance notes and it opens the song to a whole new level

[@Grimm1695]

To this day this is my favorite song I’ve played in high school.

[@catherinerenaud5525]

i wish the bass line had more exciting parts to play... but this score is magnificent all the same

[@elizabethclarence3817]

i just got this piece and we have to play it in march and i'm a first flute. ughh i'm scared that i might butcher this beautiful piece :'(

[@michellejohnson1500]

audrey wood dont think like that...you can do it!!!

[@kenyonmccrobey5203]

fr i totally understand i had to play first clarinet and my director gave m the flute solos on the flute so i understand completely

[@Recapela]

I played this a couple years ago with my band, it's so beautiful and still my all time favorite

[@1237Noah]

I remember playing this on the Bari Sax in my high school band, and even now it still brings back fond memories of practicing

[@35mmonrose]

one of the best songs i’ve heard in my life

[@nat.3k4o]

best parts

[@sxckening]

but for the 4:40 one the huge de climax part really sets the part it personally imo makes it 30 times more beautiful of a part

[@Noon-ej2ds]

My marching band is playing this for our 2023 show and it’s so fun!

[@haydo3134]

marching band?? thats crazy

[@TheOmniverseYT]

I have the vibraphone solos for this piece, absolutely love how it sounds!

[@ellenlangille1831]

i did vibraphone in middle school for this piece !! it’s been quite a few years and i hope you had as much fun as i did. this piece stuck with me and helped manifest my love for vibraphone

[@MarMar-bk9dc]

I played this piece the end of my 7th grade year and it will always stay in my heart.

[@AidanDavis-z7f]

I play the tuba in this song. I'm in awe with the baseline, horn, clarinet, and flute.🥲

[@derrickjeromeweaverjr.2404]

Always the slow songs that get you

[@randomuser2105]

Shout out to fellow oboe who play first oboe for this song. It's a struggle playing for so damn long, buts it's worth it

[@llamalife7210]

I'm playing the bass/tenor trombone 3 part on this piece. I love that I just get to blast pedal tones.

[@ummmchileanyways1785]

That was beautiful omg

[@nervousharpist]

I'm playing this with my concert band and just got the harp part. So excited!!

[@shulmpino5505]

it seems really difficult to me, but im a horn player so i guess i wouldnt know lol

[@codyzuvich1712]

3:12 and onward, Genuinely breathtaking

[@erzascarlet2912]

I totally love this song it's so beautiful

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

You can also play the Harp Part on Piano.

[@__AbAbe]

I can’t wait to play this peice, I’m sure it will sound great

[@rudybarrios1060]

So we were supposed to play this song this year for our spring concert and concert and sighting performance, but due to the coronavirus we might not get the chance to play it. it's my senior year too.

[@maracchino]

I just got this piece and I am actually very excited to play this. I hope I can really play this well, I play oboe and it sounds like a very important supporting roll behind the flute sorta and I really want to do well.

[@cerealandpancakes]

*****cries******

[@bluedragonfire4960]

Absolutely incredible!

[@Sid-gk2zf]

Holy moly you dont rest as an oboe. Takes my breath away (literally)

[@jammyToast333]

put this in a studio ghibli movie Ohmygaw

[@LordRoue]

Thanks Mr. Burum.

[@jackgilbert6445]

This is amazing

[@suimingng5751]

Great sounds

[@CameronJohnson-t7f]

This piece gives off skibidi toilet rizz

[@negret7224]

Trombone 2 on this peice, measure 57👌

[@Bethrenjakura]

I love Mr. Hazo if you have a love for divine beauty within a song I recommend Rising Star by the same man

[@crazygrainger2006]

This is like Perthshire Majesty with added drums.

[@SlyHikari03]

This is nice.

[@klausthemutig3824]

Can someone please explain how to create a video score like this?

[@yaakovsegura2337]

IDK

[@mr.klunee4103]

they're probably using a certain software to do it this particular way. It probably can't be done using free tools. That being said I honesty don't know either

[@BlueCometEntertainment347]

Mr. Klunee They're not using a software. They're recording it with actual instruments.

[@mr.klunee4103]

Well yeah obviously it's performed live, I meant the tool that allowed them to make the video itself; in other words, I thought they used software to create the animations that turn the pages and stuff

[@BlueCometEntertainment347]

Oh I see.

[@violante1421]

Played this in seventh grade oh the nostalgia

[@BladeTNT2018]

I have no idea how to download the score so I can see it more clearly

[@matthewwong5025]

We played this at band for our UIL competition. Keep in mind that we're a middle school band

[@mouton-jk9xm]

why is there a contra alto clarinet and a contrabass clarinet? both are playing the same thing and both are very rare and expensive instruments, one of them should suffice

[@gillianluna2484]

Playing this song for my high school playing 3rd trumpet should be 1st

[@Megawatt514]

Gillian Luna right!