Yamada, Kōsaku : Kinder und Onkelchen
Work Overview
Instrumentation：Piano Solo
Genre：suite
Copyright：Public Domain
Commentary (3)
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Last Updated: March 28, 2018
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Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Children and Uncle
Children and Uncle is a collection of 10 piano pieces composed in 1916. After returning from Berlin, Yamada stayed with his sister for a while. This collection depicts a peaceful day spent there with his young nephew and niece. "Ottan" is a pronunciation of "Ojisan" (uncle) by his three-year-old niece, referring to Yamada himself.
- Are You Awake Yet? The sleepy and energetic states are vividly depicted through dynamic contrasts.
- Blind Man's Bluff A comical game of tag depicted with a rapid duple meter.
- A Carefree Story A cheerful story is told with vivid tempo changes.
- Let's Sing Together The melody of "Tetsudo Shoka" (Railway Song), beloved by children, is quoted.
- A Scary Story A scary story is gently told, with clear contrasts between minor and major keys.
- A Quiet Afternoon The scene of a nap is depicted quietly and warmly.
- That Yajirobe A funny yajirobe (tumbler doll) is expressed with rapid sixteenth notes.
- Uncle's Heart The affection for the children is eloquently expressed in a minor key.
- Sunset Glow A beautiful song quoting a theatrical song composed by himself.
- Star Lullaby A gentle and warm lullaby is sung over the left hand's ostinato.
Author : Sugiura, Nanako
Last Updated: April 14, 2024
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Author : Sugiura, Nanako
Composed in 1916. "Ottan" (meaning "uncle") refers to Yamada himself. The world of children, inspired by interactions with his young nephew (Jun) and niece (Mieko), is vividly depicted. The preface to the first edition states: "'Ottan' is 'Uncle,' or rather, myself, a pronunciation adopted from my three-year-old niece. It describes how, taught by children who are closest to the sun, I joyfully greeted a beautiful morning, spent the day playing and telling stories, and as I sat on the veranda admiring the sunset sky, my younger sister would already be asleep leaning against my lap." This passage conveys the rich time spent with his nephew and niece, and Yamada's deep affection for children. The first edition (Kaiseikan, Osaka, Taisho 6 [1917]) includes illustrations by Keizo Saito and poems by Yamada for each piece.Poems and performance tips are provided for each piece.
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Last Updated: April 18, 2018
[Open]
Author : Sudoh, Eiko
Child and Uncle
“Child and Uncle” is a collection of ten piano pieces composed by Kosaku Yamada in 1916. At this time, Yamada was staying at his elder sister's home for a period after returning from Berlin. In this collection, he depicted the tranquil days he spent there with his young nephew and niece. Yamada himself is the 'Uncle' referred to in the title.
- 1. Mou Okki Sitano (Are You Up Already?)
Sleepy yet powerful appearances are depicted through vivid sonic contrasts between low and high registers. - 2. Mekakushi-Gokko (Playing Blindfolded)
The game of tag is comically depicted in a rapid duple meter. - 3. Youki na Ohanashi (Cheerful Story)
Cheerful narratives are conveyed through vivid tempo changes. - 4. Saa Issyo ni Utaimasyou (Let’s Sing Together)
Well-known melodies, quoted from popular children's railway songs, are employed. - 5. Kowai Ohanashi (Scary Story)
A gentle yet vivid contrast between major and minor keys conveys a scary story. - 6. Shizukana Gogo (Quiet Afternoon)
Children's nap time is quietly and warmly depicted. - 7. Yakko no Yajirobee (A Balancing Toy)
A children's balancing toy is humorously represented by rapid sixteenth notes. - 8. Oji no Kokoro (Uncle’s Mind)
Affection for children is expressed in a minor key. - 9. Yuyake Koyake (Red Sunset Sky and Orange Sunset Sky)
A beautiful melody is quoted from one of Yamada's own dramatic songs. - 10. Hoshi no Komoriuta (Stars Lullaby)
A lullaby is played gently and warmly, accompanied by a steady left-hand figure.