CHAMBER CONCERTO III “Around Nothing”（2024）

In his foundational work the Tao Te Ching the 6th century BC Taoist philosopher Laozi posits that existence arises from nothingness, thus paralleling the evolution from nothingness to existence to the totality of creation envisaged by astrophysics. From this standpoint ‘nothingness’ might be conceived of as a state of intense but wholly invisible compaction. Such was the concept I had in mind as I worked on this piece. The opening prelude is followed by seven sections (I to VII) and a short coda. The work as a whole is cyclically structured. I should add that I composed it with a constant awareness that the Tokyo Sinfonietta consists of a group of soloists. My dear friend Akira Nishimura passed away on 7 September 2023. I still find it almost impossible to believe that he is no longer with us. His unfortunate ‘absence’ is now making itself felt as an increasingly strong ‘presence’ in my mind. But such partings in this life must inevitably be for ever. The title ‘Around Nothing’ conveys Akira Nishimura’ s initials. A funeral bell can be heard chiming throughout the piece. To quote the poet Hiroshi Osada, ‘Farewell my friend, let us meet one day on the far side’ .