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Score title
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Niji No Karada
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Composer
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Akira Nishimura
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Date
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2008
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Instrumentation
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Orchestra
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Program note
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The title derives from Tibetan Buddhism. It is said that at the time of death of a Buddhist Master who has attained complete realization through practice, his soul assimilates with eternal light of peace separating from his body and the body disappears into the air radiating the colours of the rainbow. The state is called 'the Rainbow Body.' This piece of work is a meditative fantasy expressing a longing for the soul and body which obtain release from transmigration in such a beautiful way. The work consists of an introduction and seven parts. The number of seven symbolizes the rainbow colours and the seven parts represent seven levels of transformation and dissolution of the body.
The instruments are flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, harp, 2 percussions, and strings (2 violins, viola, cello, and contrabass). It is possible to increase the number of strings. Commissioned by Radio France, the work was composed from late autumn 2007 to spring 2008 for the performance of Tokyo Sinfonietta in Paris in May 2008.
Akira NISHIMURA
Akira Nishimura
