[Choral Piece] Difficult but cool! A work that overwhelms its listeners

Pegasus Galloping Through the SkySakushi: Tate Hōrai, Sakkyoku: Kurosawa Yoshinori

Lyrics by Hourai Tate, Music by Yoshinori Kurosawa / Sky-Galloping Pegasus

Yoshinori Kurosawa, a leading 20th-century composer who left numerous choral works for elementary through high school students.

His “Sky-Galloping Pegasus” is a three-part mixed chorus piece composed in 1978, with the biggest challenge being the section where the parts divide into five in the middle of the piece.

It’s not structured as five parts overall; rather, it branches from the original three into five partway through, which makes it tricky.

There are also sections where the tempo suddenly drops and others where the pitches rise, and this complex musical design further increases the piece’s difficulty.

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Yuuki

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In springsakushi: tanikawa shuntarō / sakkyoku: kinoshita makiko

In Spring (Music: Makiko Kinoshita / Poem: Shuntaro Tanikawa) - Mixed Chorus Collection “Beyond the Horizon” - Nihon University Chorus

The renowned piece “Haru ni,” noted for its beautiful and moving melody, may at first sound easy to sing.

However, many of its opening phrases begin on sixteenth notes, and these sixteenth-note entries—where vertical alignment, in other words timing, is hard to match—make it fairly challenging.

Throughout, the soprano line leaves a strong impression, and the way the mixed voices layer during the build-up before the chorus is breathtaking.

It’s a work that combines power and beauty, so be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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Song of Distant DaysSakushi: Iwasawa Chihaya / Sakkyoku: Hashimoto Shōji

“A Song from a Distant Day” sung by Osaka College of Music students and the Children’s Choir

A highly popular piece with a familiar, approachable melody, “Song of Distant Days.” In its early days it carried the subtitle “Song of Distant Days ~From Pachelbel’s Canon~,” and its appeal lies in the moving progression built on the canon chords.

Rather than a virtuoso showpiece, it’s moderately challenging—about a B-level in difficulty.

Its orthodox development, with gradually layering choruses, conveys beauty amid its power.

If you like canon chord progressions, you’ll surely enjoy this, so be sure to check it out.

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Ryo

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A Billion Light-Years of SolitudeKinoshita Makiko

Two Billion Light-Years of Solitude (Music: Makiko Kinoshita / Poetry: Shuntaro Tanikawa) - Mixed Chorus Collection “Beyond the Horizon” - Nihon University Chorus

A choral piece by Makiko Kinoshita themed on the vastness of the universe and human solitude.

Its frequent modulations and syncopated rhythms are distinctive, expressing the smallness of humanity within the vast cosmos.

Since its release in 1992, it has continued to be loved by a wide range of people, from middle and high school choirs to general music enthusiasts.

It comes in various voicings—mixed three-part, treble choir, and male choir—each with its own unique appeal.

The lyrics, based on a poem by Shuntaro Tanikawa, carry profound philosophical themes that resonate with listeners.

It is a perfect piece for moments when everyone wants to unite their hearts in song, such as at choral competitions or graduation ceremonies.

river mouthSakushi: Maruyama Yutaka / Sakkyoku: Dan Ikuma

Mixed Chorus Suite Chikugo River V. Estuary with Lyrics

Estuary depicts the flow of a river from its upstream course down to the sea.

Because the movement of the river mirrors the journey of students from enrollment to graduation, it is also cherished as a graduation song.

The female vocal range is high, so careful attention to vocal technique is necessary.

Adding expressive nuance is also challenging, so be sure to interpret the lyrics thoroughly as you sing.

Moreover, the accompaniment is extremely difficult, making the pianist’s role especially critical.

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SAKI

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Song of First Intentsakushi: Kijima Hajime, sakkyoku: Nobunaga Taketomi

Song of First Resolve, from “Song of First Resolve” for mixed chorus and piano

Hajime Kijima’s “Song of First Intent,” which sharply confronts society’s contradictions and supports the younger generation, is captivating.

This collection, composed from five poems, features only exquisitely beautiful pieces themed around familiar, everyday matters.

Among them, the title track “Song of First Intent” is infused with Kijima’s characteristic dynamism, making its subtle nuances quite challenging to sing.

In particular, there’s a section in the middle where the music swells all at once; how skillfully one can deliver that climax will likely be the key to the performance.

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Yuuki

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Resonating LivesSakushi: Nishibe Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Mizuki Kaoru

Utsumi Junior High School, Minamichita Town - Resonating Lives - Lyrics: Toshihiko Seibu - Music: Kaoru Mizuki

If I were to recommend a dramatic, high-difficulty choral piece, I think “Resonating Lives” would be appropriate.

Although it’s in 2/4 time and the tempo itself is simple, the work features a fair number of clashes between the male and female parts, making it fairly challenging.

In particular, the powerful male part from the middle onward requires considerable vocal volume and very precise vertical alignment, so it’s especially demanding for the men.

Among mixed chorus works, this is one in which the men often take the leading role, so it’s recommended for those who want to delve deeply into the male parts.

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Ryo

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