Symphony-Haiku

Symphony-Haiku was composed in 1995 shortly after the composition of Symphony-Lamentations (Symphony No.4), a work of totally different character. After the angst and passion of Lamentations, Haiku is terse and often pointillistic in style, rather like the Japanese poetic form which inspired the symphony, and the longest of the 6 movements is only about 5 minutes in length. The piece had been in gestation since about 1989 after several meetings with the great Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu at the Royal Academy of Music in London, which have had a lasting impression on Tristan. Each of the names of the movements come from verses by the master of haiku, Matsuo Basho. It is the only symphony so far by the composer which was not commissioned by any particular orchestra. The piece is dedicated to the memory of Toru Takemitsu with great affection and respect.

Full Score – Parts on hire