This piece is based on Mt. Sakurajima, an active volcano on the southern tip of Japan. The first movement, Mountain, opens with an extended flute solo reminiscent of a traditional Japanese shakuhachi. As the rest of the ensemble enters, an image of the majestic, distant mountain is revealed. The second movement, Fire, is violent and, through the use of constant meter changes, unpredictable, with tom toms providing an underlying, hypnotic pulse throughout. The third movement, Sky, is stark and desolate. The solo flute returns, this time quoting the traditional Japanese folk lullaby Itsuki No Komori Uta.

Grade: grade 4