The Japanese Seasons | 四季の眺め

for mixed choir a cappella

The Japanese Seasons | 四季の眺め (2023) is an a cappella choir suite
comissioned by the Eric Westberg Vocal Ensamble back in 2022

The piece uses traditional japanese poems from the Hyakunin Isshu, written between 600-1300. The poems acts as time capsules, as they describe the daily lifes and thought

This piece acts as a mix of cultures, as the poems and themes are japanese, but the choir writing is more akin to swedish tradition, making for some wonderful music

The piece is already popular, having been recorded by Erik Westberg Vocal Ensamble and Engelbrekt Vocalis, and performed by various ensambles all over Sweden, even reaching all the way to Germany