Komorebi (木漏れ日)

Komorebi (木漏れ日) is a Japanese term which describes the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees. This piece attempts to recreate the dancing beauty of these patterns. 

Each instrument plays a unique role in this piece. 

The low brass acts as the tree itself, with the main melodic idea stemming directly from the opening euphonium solo. The high and mid brass act as the patterns that the term komorebi describes, singing 16th notes with no discernable pattern or melody to simulate the random nature of the shadows.

As everything quiets down, a trumpet sings its own melody as the leaves fall from the tree. Yet, the tuba joins in, with the same melody. We learn that the leaves and the tree are in fact not two different things, yet one body. With the leaves falling the patterns grow again, before resulting in the ensemble singing together.

The leaves are now gone, but the tree remains. And it sings of its now fallen leaves, who will soon return.