Takarajima (宝島, lit. Treasure Island) is a popular Japanese song written by Hirotaka Izumi, a member of the band T-SQUARE. It was later adapted into an arrangement for wind ensemble by the late Toshio Mashima, as part of New Sounds in Brass' 1987 edition, performed by Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. The piece remains an icon among wind bands both in Japan and abroad, including the Kitauji High School concert band, who played the piece at the station concert.
Scoring[]
Though the song was initially intended to have a jazz/funk vibe like the rest of T-SQUARE's discography, Mashima strayed away from this, and instead opted for a samba style, featuring instruments like the agogo and whistle.
Takarajima features two saxophone solos, both of which initially were intended to be played on the alto saxophone. In Kitauji's rendition, Raimu Okamoto plays the first, while Haruka Ogasawara plays the second on baritone saxophone, as per Noboru Taki's decision.
Variations of the piece have been performed by many bands, including Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. In Kitauji's performance, at the first chorus, the band stands up and shifts side to side with the music. The trumpets and trombones also have a grander display, swaying their instruments up into the air before joining the rest of the band's movement.
Instrumentation[]
- Piccolo
- Flute 1, 2
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- E♭ Clarinet
- B♭ Clarinet 1, 2, 3
- E♭ Alto Clarinet
- B♭ Bass Clarinet
- B♭ Soprano Saxophone
- E♭ Alto Saxophone 1, 2
- B♭ Tenor Saxophone 1, 2
- E♭ Baritone Saxophone
- B♭ Trumpet 1, 2, 3, 4
- F Horn 1, 2, 3, 4
- Trombone 1, 2, 3
- Euphonium
- Bass in C
- Bass Guitar
- Electric Guitar
- Piano
- Drum Set
- Glockenspiel
- Xylophone
- Shaker/Cabasa
- Triangle
- Cymbals
- Timpani
- Agogo
- Samba Whistle
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| Original Soundtracks | |
| Character Songs | |