Japanese Letters

Composed in close collaboration with the Japanese violist Eriko Semba, to whom it is dedicated, Japanese Letters is a virtuosic work that explores the full expressive and technical potential of the viola. The piece was premiered on 14 June 2009 at the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud in Paris by Prosper Lugassy.

The work’s structure is articulated by a recurring sequence of five chords, which serve both as formal signposts and as the basis for a series of variations. These chords are sometimes presented directly, sometimes transformed or embedded in more elaborate musical textures. However, not all material derives from this harmonic framework: for instance, the opening section—immediately following the pizzicato statement of the chords—unfolds as a long, improvisation-like passage. Despite its free and spontaneous character, this section, like the rest of the piece, is fully notated.

Lysight draws on a wide range of extended techniques, including col legno, sul ponticello, and various forms of pizzicato, to create a vivid sonic palette. The viola becomes a medium for multiple voices and moods—at times percussive, at others lyrical or atmospheric—suggesting the metaphor of letters sent from afar, each charged with memory, emotion, and subtle nuance.

Balancing structural rigour with expressive freedom, Japanese Letters is a compelling example of Michel Lysight’s distinctive voice: rooted in post-minimalism, rich in colour, and deeply attentive to the capabilities of each instrument.