THE UNSEEN WORLD 

April 08, 2019 

Abrons Arts Center 

-premiere- 

Composition Title: The Unseen World みえないもの l for and with the International Contemporary Ensemble 
clarinet, violin, cello, double bass, voice 
Duration: 13:50 

This is a world premiere of The Unseen World.  The composition was created, inspired by Nakamura’s dream and one of the byobu (folding screen) paintings by Jakuchu Ito created in the 18th century: 鳥獣花木図屏風 Choju Kaboku zu Byobu (Birds and Animals in the Flower Graden), which Nakamura saw in an exhibition of Jakuchu.  In the screen painting, we see creatures that do not exist in the world, but do they not?  In Nakamura’s dream, a mystery was solved, which she does not remember.  And a pigeon that she rarely see in a cherry tree in front of her house brings her into The Unseen World.  She goes into the world from the frame of the painting, and, by the time she goes out, she understands that The Unseen World is always here in this world.
 

The work was composed with graphic notations created from the orality of the composer.  The conductor was the composer herself: cues and signals were embedded in her performance.

THE STORY OF OICA 

September 29, 2018 

T-sali Tulindberg Hall 

-premiere- 

Composition Title: The Story of Oica l MikroEnsemblen konseetti, Ostrobothnian Contemporary Music Festival 
quarter-tone clarinet, quarter-tone accordion, voice, violin, cello 
Duration: 6:00 

Oica is a character that Nakamura created through a theatrical project. From a loss of her son, she lost her memory and thinks she is originally a dolphin. This character connected Nakamura with a traditional myth in northern Japan, myth that the middle small island in Mashu Lake used to be an old lady, and myths around the world on gods of animals and nature. The piece is a scene where Oica, the god of dolphin, sings to her son, the god of the moon, at night time. All the creatures are waking up. 

Lyrics/text 
さぁ いのちよ 輝いておくれ 天高く 遥か彼方まで 
さぁ 歌おう 光に照らされて 天高く 朝の夜露まで 
さぁ 光よ 聞かせておくれ 花のような笑い声を 奥の山川 夜にまで 大地に 命は生きる 
Sa- inochi yo, kagayaiteokure. Ten takaku haruka kanatamade. 
Sa- utaou, hikari ni terasarete. Ten takaku asa no yotsuyu made. 
Sa- hikari yo, kikaseteokure. (Hana no youna waraigoe wo, okuno yamakawa) 
Yoruni made. Daichi ni inochi ha ikiru. 

Soul, soul, please shine to the top of the sky and to the edge of the world. 
I shall sing lighted by the moon to the top of the sky to the dew of the morning. 
Light, light, let us hear (your laughter like a flower to the mountains, to the rivers), and to the depth of the night. Souls live on the earth. 

NIGHT BEFORE WAR 

May 11, 2018 

recording 

Composition Title: Night Before War l Chamber l recording at Creamery Studio in Brooklyn NY 
voice, alto sax, piano, violin, contrabass 
Duration: 06:30 

Lewis Fowler alto sax 
PJ Fossum piano 
Yukiko Kuhara violin 
Elam Friedlander contrabass 
Aine Nakamura voice, composition, poetry 

WEBSITE oica music 

DOA NO SOTOGAWA (OUTSIDE THE DOOR) 

May 11, 2018 

recording 

Composition Title: Doa no Sotogawa (Outside the door) l Chamber l recording at Creamery Studio in Brooklyn NY 
voice, alto sax, piano, violin, contrabass 
Duration: 02:26 

Lewis Fowler alto sax 
PJ Fossum piano 
Yukiko Kuhara violin 
Elam Friedlander contrabass 
Aine Nakamura voice, composition 

The composition was premiered at Arnhold Hall, the New School, on December 14 2017. 

WEBSITE oica music 

KUSHARO-KO 

December 14, 2017 

Arnhold Hall, The New School 

Composition Title: Kusharo-ko 屈斜路湖 l Chamber l premiered at the Arnhold Hall, The New School 
horn sections, voice, piano, bass, drums 
Duration: 03:49 

ISLAND OF HILLS 

December 08, 2017 

Arnhold Hall, The New School 

Composition Title: Island of Hills l Chamber l premiered at the Arnhold Hall, The New School 
voice, trumpet, sanshin, guitar, viola, piano, bass, drums 
Duration: 

TACHIAGARU 

August 09, 2017 

Composition Title: 立ち上がる Tachiagaru l premiered at 代官山UNICE 
voice, tap 
Duration:

TAIYO TO NANABANSEN 

June 24, 2017 

Tenri Cultural Institute of New York 

Composition Title: Taiyo to Nanabansen 太陽と7番線 -The Sun and 7 Train l ensemble l premiered at the Tenri Cultural Institute of New York 
voice, clarinet, guitar/piano 
Duration: 05:37 

from performance on June 24 2017 in NY 

Jasper Dütz clarinet 
Christophe Assier guitar 
Aine Nakamura voice composition