Yenorya Laulajat, Japanese Male Voice Ensemble
[ --> Japanese ]

Yenorya Laulajat(@Japan), YLj, is a Male Voice Ensemble, trying to transmit our musical performance, activity and creation to all over the world as Japanese Choir pursuing the essence of ensemble and acoustics of voices. YLJ was founded by former singers of Waseda University Glee Club, and became a member of the Tokyo Choral Association in 2006. By the way, "Yenorya" is a Japanese nonsense refrain, "Hayashi-words", and "Laulajat" is a Finnish word, means "Choir".

mailto:yenoryalaulajat＠gmail.com
[ NEWS ]
We gave the first public performance, a young American composer Eric Johnson's new work "Sonnet 71", as a World Premiere in the Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 3rd 2008. , presented a Gold Prize and Tokyo Choral Association administrative director Prize(1st place)

"Sonnet 71" Composer’s Notes
In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, one of America’s most respected composers, Dominick Argento, set Shakespeare’s fitting Sonnet LXIV. I heard this piece on a program a few years later, stunned by the music and the evocative imagery the text painted.
When Taku Sato and I talked about writing a piece for YLJ, I immediately thought of the 150 some sonnets Shakespeare had penned. I came across this one, which was set by Mark Anthony Turnage in a recent commission. Having never heard his setting, I decided to use it, and was quickly pulled in to it’s majesty. I hope that this piece speaks to you as Argento’s Sonnet LXIV spoke to me.
Dear YLJ,
I sometimes wonder why I make music. Sometimes I cannot sleep, as I think about other careers with less uncertainty and fewer "bumps in the road". But from time to time I am reminded, and it inspires me to lift my voice in song and take my pen and write music as well as I am able. I make music because music makes the world beautiful. There are many noble things in this world, but making the world beautiful is the most noble thing I am able to do.
know that none of you are professional musicians, but what a wonderful thing to spend your extra time to sing together. I am so grateful that all of you and my dear friend Taku were willing to take a chance on this piece I wrote for you. If I came to Japan today, I wouldn't only be able to say "jisho", "aho" and stupid kid! But even thousands of miles away, we are able to speak one language - music. I hope that even though William Shakespeare wrote in a very different language than all of you speak, you will be able to find real emotion and passion on Sunday. And remember, make the world beautiful.
Yours, Eric Johnson
[ BIOGRAPHY ]
The 23rd Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 3rd 2008 , supervised by Taku Sato and Yoshinori Oowada, presented a Gold Prize and Tokyo Choral Association administrative director Prize(1st place)
  1. Sonnet 71, composed by Eric Johnson(world premiere) -->♪.mp3 at Eric's website
  2. "Punapaula", from "Mieliteko-sarja", composed by Jukka Linkola
The 7th Tokyo Male Chorus Festival, On November 23th 2007 , supervised by Y.Haginoya and Taku Sato, presented 2nd place by "popularity vote"
  1. Naduri, Georgian folk song -->♪.mp3
  2. 9.Last dungeon(from "Sound Track for Male Voice Ensemble"), composed by Hiroto Oda
The 62nd Tokyo Chorus Concour, on September 30th 2007, conducted by M.Takahashi, presented a Gold Prize
  1. Taue Uta(rice planting song), composed by M.Mamiya
  2. The Singing Apes of Khao Yai, composed by Jan Sandstrom
The 62nd Tokyo Chorus Festival, On June 30th 2007, supervised by Hiroto Oda and Taku Sato, presented a Debut Prize
  1. 1.Ave Maria(from "Sound Track for Male Voice Ensemble"), composed by Taku Sato(world premiere)
  2. 9.Last dungeon(from "Sound Track for Male Voice Ensemble"), composed by Hiroto Oda(world premiere)
  3. Jata paike paistma!, composed by V.Tormis
The 22nd Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 4th 2007 , supervised by M.Ikehata, presented a Silver Prize
  1. Taue Uta(rice planting song), composed by M.Mamiya
  2. "Sampling" No.1 for unaccompanied Chorus , composed by M.Ikehata(world premiere) -->♪.mp3
The 61st Tokyo Chorus Concour, on October 7th 2006, supervised by Taku Sato, presented a "fosterage Prize" by Tokyo Choral Association
  1. Ave Maria, composed by Joan Szymko
  2. Etudes for Choral Improvisation No.1, composed by Taku Sato(world premiere) -->♪.mp3
  3. II (from Composition for Chorus No.6), composed by M.Mamiya
The 21st Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 5th 2006, supervised by T.Iino, presented a Gold Prize and Tokyo Choral Association administrative director Prize(1st place)
  1. Lapi laul, composed by Ester Magi
  2. Pastime with Good Company, composed by Henry VIII, arranged by M.Ikehata(world premiere)
  3. II (from Composition for Chorus No.6), composed by M.Mamiya
The 20th Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 11th 2005, presented a Silver Prize
  1. I .SHINGON (from Composition for Chorus No.14), composed by M.Mamiya
  2. Compositon for Chorus No.6, composed by M.Ikehata(world premiere)
The 19th Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 11th 2004, presented a Silver Prize
  1. Compositon for Classical Voices No.1, composed by M.Ikehata(world premiere)
The 18th Tokyo Vocal Ensemble Contest, on February 2003, presented a Bronze Prize
  1. Four Hungaryan Folk Songs, composed by Bela Bartok -->3♪.mp3 -->4♪.mp3
  2. Husarendurchmarsch, composed by Max Reger -->♪.mp3
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