'Kagi' for flute (doubling piccolo) and piano (2013)
Kagi’ for flute (doubling piccolo) and piano in 7 movements (15'). Premiered by Francesca Le Lohé (flute/piccolo) and Kumiko Shuto (piano) in November 2016 at Karura Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
I Ikuko
II Husband
III Ikuko II
IV Toshiko (piccolo)
V Ikuko III
VI Kimura (piccolo)
VII Ikuko IV (flute solo)
‘Kagi’ is the title of a short novel by Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) published in 1956. ‘Kagi’ translates as ‘The Key’ and features four characters; Ikuko (the wife), The Husband, Toshiko (the confrontational daughter) and Kimura (the mysterious lover) and is told through the diaries of the married couple.
The Husband, feeling insufficient for his younger wife but frustrated with her high morality, begins to push her towards a younger man in an attempt to restore his own vitality through jealousy and voyeurism. Ikuko, feeling she has married the ‘wrong man’, is tentative at first but gains much confidence in pursuing Kimura as she breaks free of her tired, old husband and her oppressive traditions to realise her bold, inner voice. It becomes clear that all four characters wish to see Ikuko ‘corrupted’.
I Ikuko
II Husband
III Ikuko II
IV Toshiko (piccolo)
V Ikuko III
VI Kimura (piccolo)
VII Ikuko IV (flute solo)
‘Kagi’ is the title of a short novel by Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) published in 1956. ‘Kagi’ translates as ‘The Key’ and features four characters; Ikuko (the wife), The Husband, Toshiko (the confrontational daughter) and Kimura (the mysterious lover) and is told through the diaries of the married couple.
The Husband, feeling insufficient for his younger wife but frustrated with her high morality, begins to push her towards a younger man in an attempt to restore his own vitality through jealousy and voyeurism. Ikuko, feeling she has married the ‘wrong man’, is tentative at first but gains much confidence in pursuing Kimura as she breaks free of her tired, old husband and her oppressive traditions to realise her bold, inner voice. It becomes clear that all four characters wish to see Ikuko ‘corrupted’.
