Akira Miyoshi [三善晃] (1933~2013, Japan)
交響詩「連禱富士」
Litania pour Fuji - Poème Symphonique pour Orchestre
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra
Kazuki Yamada, conducted
Recorded: November 12th, 2015 at Suginami Koukaido Large Hall
Commissioned by Shizuoka Telecasting 20th Anniversary Project
No one doubts that Miyoshi Akira (1933~2013) will be positioned as representative composer of Japan. Studied composition from Kōzaburō Hirai from an elementary school age, while attending the Faculty of French Literature at the University of Tokyo, he won the first prize in the composition section of the Music Competition of Japan, received the Otaka prize, and received the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival Encouragement Award. While still at school, studied abroad at the Paris Conservatory as a paying student, and studied under Henri Challan and Raymond Gallois-Montbrun. After returning to Japan, he returned to Tokyo University and graduated. From this time, he released big works almost every year, and his compositions spread across many fields. In particular, there are many choral songs, and they are widely sung and enthusiastically supported by a wide range of people. In addition, while also focusing on the teaching of younger students, such as serving as the president of Toho Gakuen College Music Department, he continued to transmit his insights as a musician, which had a great impact not only on the music world but also on society.
"Litania" (Litany or Ektenia) is a form of worship in the Christian style where priests and choirs sing alternately. This "Litania pour Fuji " seems to have been composed with instinctual awe and admiration for the existence of "Mt. Fuji" beyond humanity. The contrast between the magnificent part, which is full of respect for nature, and the part with exciting dynamic rhythms that represent the vitality of the earth, makes listeners feel the enormous energy of Mt. Fuji.
by Sigeyuki Suzuki from JPS-51CD "Kazuki Yamada & Japan Phil / Naozumi Yamamoto: Suite "The Excursion," Miyoshi: Litania pour Fuji, Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite"
テレビ静岡開局20周年記念事業委嘱作品
　三善晃(1933~2013)を、日本を代表する作曲家として位置付けることに疑問を持つ人はいないであろう。小学生のころから作曲を平井康三郎に師事し、東京大学仏文学部在学中に日本音楽コンクール作曲部門第1位、尾高賞を受賞、文化庁芸術祭奨励賞をも受賞し注目される。さらに在学中に給費留学生としてパリ音楽院に留学、アンリ・シャラン、レイモン・ガロワ・モンブランに師事。帰国後に東京大学に復学し卒業した。この頃から毎年のように大作を発表し、その分野は多岐にわたった。特に合唱曲はたいへん多く、広範な人々に歌い継がれ熱く支持されている。また、桐朋学園大学学長をつとめるなど、後進の指導にも力を注ぐ一方、音楽家としての見識を発信し続けるなど、音楽界だけでなく、社会へも大きな影響を与えた。
　“連禱”とは、キリスト教において司祭と聖歌隊が歌いかわす形式の礼拝の形である。この「連禱富士」は、人智を超えた”富士山”という存在に対し、本能的な畏怖と崇拝をこめて作曲されたと思われる。自然への敬意に満ちた荘厳なパートと、大地の生命力を表すような躍動リズムがエキサイティングなパートのコントラストが、聴く人に富士山の持つ膨大なエネルギーを感じさせる名曲である。
（鈴木重行、JPS-51CD『山田和樹／日本フィル 山本直純：組曲「えんそく」、三善晃：交響詩「連禱富士」、グローフェ：組曲「グランド・キャニオン」』解説書より）